Which types of threads automatically draw you in?

[SayCheeseBoris]

I've just been skimming the page to see which threads I'd like to click on when I realised I'm always on the lookout for 'Should I go to A&E?' or 'Friend isn't speaking to me' type threads. I'm not sure why these threads are my favourite types and it's just dawned on me that I probably like reading about other peoples misfortunes which is a bit odd and has me questioning why? I don't know what it is, maybe it's that its often madness that it ends up that OP has had a serious medical emergency and didn't actually know that until they posted the thread but I always find them fascinating. The friends fall out one is probably just complete nosiness to be honest but I love reading those too.

What are yours and why?

Meet my new puppy/kitten threads (or any variation thereof)
Gardening threads (I rarely post, I’m a useless gardener, but I love reading them)
CF threads
Property/decorating
Feminism
TV threads re shows I’ve been watching

no particular order - just that puppies and kittens are definitely top of the list!

Style and beauty
Holidays
Property
Retirement
Money
Decluttering
Relationships

Inheritance

I am drawn in by threads where I think I might be able to offer useful advice or support in some way. So medical issues I’ve had/have, breastfeeding because I’ve done it and I remember how hard it was & how judged I felt by others (this is a double edged sword where both sides of the debate feel shit), AIBU with loads of replies, anything chatty where people have similar interests to myself. I avoid the covid section unless I would like to reassure someone who has health anxiety (because I have that to an extent).

• Posters complaining about retail or restaurant staff, especially when they get their arse handed to them for being rude to the staff or complaining about nothing.
• How often do you wash/shower/change the bedsheets - I love how worked up people seem to get
• Anything to do with dogs, horses and cats
• Dangerous/out of control/off lead dog threads as the hysteria from both sides can be quite amusing
• Relationship threads
• Parents complaining about entitled adult children - especially when they go on to list all the different ways they've made their child so entitled in the first place 😬
• step parenting threads as the drama is quite something.

I am definitely drawn in by the threads where I might have something useful to offer, which usually means weird niche ones relating to my job or hobbies. I also get sucked in by the ones where there’s a massive elephant in the room that seems blindingly obvious to me, but no one’s mentioning it. I find those oddly compelling.
I will also always click on requests for recommendations for children's books - I think there’s scope for a response bingo game there.

I seem to like "help me with this decision / what does this mean" and "live updates evolving story" threads (eg. job application choices, parking conflicts, am I in labour, police just broke into next door, what will happen to me in A&E) type threads

Some threads I only click on out of curiousity to learn what other people believe or can be persuaded to believe, or crazy (funny) stuff they claim, like "I am 15 stone and 5'2" but only size 8 because I never eat carbohydrates so obviously BMI numbers are shit" claims.... and people who fall over backwards to agree with/believe the OP.

I find it easier to define threads I avoid:
"Listen to me whinge about..." & "would you also like to whinge about..." are probably my number 1 avoids.

I try to exert self-discipline & not comment on situations I have no experience of: quite a lot of those.

I like threads about houses - decor advice, opinions; and gardens, plant ID, ideas.

Relationships - advice sought.

Books and TV programmes.

Funny experiences, either of a drunken night out or a bit 'woo'.

I will always click on a feminism-themed thread that has managed to stay on AIBU or Chat. Likewise anything Judaism-related.

Conversely, I couldn't be any less interested in:

Finances
Parking
Children older or younger than mine
CF threads (they just raise my blood pressure at how fucking meek and people-pleasery some folk are)

I remember when everyone got excited about a shopping list (found in a trolley) thread. A picture would be posted and people would post their opinions. Can't imagine that now.
I don't really understand the popularity of parking threads, they always promise an possible interesting conclusion maybe but never deliver. I often feel the OP feels under pressure to make a good ending up.

I was beyond delighted to find a list including
Froot
and Kids chicken

Shopping List Threads had to give details like
Supermarket
Choice of paper
Choice of pen, ink colour or pencil
Capitals or lower case
The most indecipherable item listed and who could guess it

I blame "Bring" for their sad demise

They were fun. But can you imagine one now? You cannot pick apart someone's shopping habits/handwriting/spelling/pen choice in 2022, you would get cancelled.

Center Parcs for lube

I don't think I've grown up yet