what makes someone interesting to you?

[gleekl]

This conversation was bought up last night over a dinner with friends and everyone had wildly different answers that it really surprised me. What surprised me was a lot of what they were describing as really interesting, I thought was quite boring!

For me it's a really good storyteller who tells interesting stories about their life.

For others it was what they have done. So are interested if they have travelled to every country or have a really cool job in the circus.

For a lot of my friends it was someone with a specific personality trait like passion, enthusiasm, intelligence or humour.

I am super interested to know what makes people interesting to you.

People who like non generic stuff.

For me it's what makes people tick, why people think as they do.

What was it about your friends' opinions that you found quite boring?

People who are open and talk freely about their lives. I've lost interest in people who are secretive, listen to me talking about myself but offer nothing about themselves. You can't get to know them properly if they give nothing away.

Well travelled and really good conversational skills and yes, like a pp said, someone open and willing to share experiences.

Clever, articulate, observant, entertaining talker, usually someone who has lived in many different places, often people who work in the arts and have made unusual life decisions.

@Peskysquirrel one of my friends found people who were obsessed with something interesting, where I have a friend whose obsessed with harry potter and I tolerate it. She also found people interesting who were very sure of themselves.

Another of my friends found people interesting who speak multiple languages, I just personally don't find it that interesting.

Agree. I love hearing about people's lives and absolutely hate small talk. It's why I never enjoyed baby groups. I don't care what your baby weighs...tell me about your childhood and the last row you had with your husband 😂

@Comedycook I'm the same! I would love a list of (socially acceptable) interesting questions to ask someone new instead of small talk.

People with something to say.
People who are funny.

I'm talking to a very fascinating person at the moment in the course of my job, and I could pass hours talking to them.

Multi lingual
Fascinating job
Travelled
Funny, very dry sense of humour.

People who are interested in something and actually do stuff.
Anyone who travels or is outdoorsy, anyone with an interesting job.
Anyone who's interested in the world around them.
I'd even find a trainspotter interesting if they engaged me in intelligent conversation about it.

Humour, kindness, empathy and a good all round knowledge of the world around us and it’s peoples.

I think the problem with "storytellers" is they like to present their story with everyone giving them attention, rather than take part in a conversation

I agree, which is why good conversational skills are a must in my view. Because good conversationalists don't monopolise the conversation, they understand it's a two way thing. Boring storytellers who love the sound of their own voices aren't good conversationalists.

Yes, all these.

people who know how to hold reciprocal conversations, so don't want to talk ad infintum about themselves whilst showing zero interest in others.

I don't think you can sum it up on paper. It's like online dating - on paper someone could be perfect, but the instant you meet them, you know there is nothing there.

So I know people who are passionately interested in things that should be fascinating, but I have no interest in hearing it. Whereas I have friends whose lives are mundane but they are just very good company. I certainly don't think job or travel or strong political opinions play into it. I do like when people surprise me in conversation, as many people do if you listen.

Anyone who's interested in the world around them.

Yes to this. So many people have no interest in anything that doesn't touch them directly.

People are interesting to me if they are open and friendly and willing to chat back and forth about whatever. Bonus if they’ve lived an interesting life or have a unique hobby or occupation, but marks against if they’re too self absorbed and only want to talk about themselves.

Someone who is very reflective and likes to think about things in depth.

People who know about things I don't and I can learn from them. I prefer not getting into any competition about things I know about with people who also do, but instead, hearing about new things that are interesting, whether that's about their job, their life, their relationships etc. I enjoy talking to people who are open about themselves and willing to talk, particularly those who are not obviously intent on impressing others with how many countries they've been to and think by fault that makes them interesting.

*By default, I mean!

I like it when people have interests and pursue them. Eg they love dinosaurs so they went on a dig in South America. Or they love Qi Gong and want to tell me about Chi ! I dont mind what it is but i find passion in a topic interesting

I rarely find people interesting if I'm completely honest 🫢 story tellers are the worst for me. I don't mind the odd relevant story but when someone goes on and on I can't help but feel they're either embellishing the truth or drama llamas.

For me, it's when people have a fascinating job. I love speaking to people who work with interesting people and situations; police, social workers etc and finding out all the details!

I don't find people who are well travelled particularly interesting - to me it's like hearing about someone else's dreams. I like people who are passionate about anything else really but I hate being talked AT.

@WhichIsItWendy interesting that you don't like storytellers, what if they're really good at telling stories, then open it up to conversation after?