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What random things about you do people think are niche?

92 replies

SaraHoliday · 02/07/2026 21:43

What random things do people think are niche about you?

OP posts:
SaraHoliday · 06/07/2026 07:26

sparklyblueberry2 · 06/07/2026 07:13

This is 👌🏼 December is such a busy month so why not!

Exactly. Get in the festive spirit as soon as possible! 🎄

OP posts:
Ballotine · 06/07/2026 07:49

BillieWiper · 05/07/2026 15:02

A lot of things if I told them about it. But maybe not. Maybe I think I'm a lot more unique and special and I'm just incredibly boring!

Well, I think that’s a fair point in a way — I think what people consider ‘niche’ says more about them, their life experience, norms, possibly social class, gender etc than about you. I mean, I personally think using a fountain pen, not driving, not flying, knitting, being multi-lingual, not owning a tv, rowing, avoiding cling film, being vegan, not having tattoos, tractor-driving, liking Roman sites etc are pretty ‘normal’. It just depends who’s looking.

I was not in the least niche when I lived in London, but I was suddenly very unusual when I moved to a village in the midlands, despite being exactly the same person. Being a foreigner who’d moved around a lot, not driving and cycling or using public transport everywhere, having a doctorate, having one child by choice, being a WOHM, often having friends from other countries to stay, speaking on the phone in other languages — statistically deeply ordinary, but not in this setting, where I was a total outlier.

Ballotine · 06/07/2026 07:53

SaraHoliday · 06/07/2026 07:26

Exactly. Get in the festive spirit as soon as possible! 🎄

My now-14-year-old declares the start of Christmas annually with a compulsory family viewing of The Christmas Chronicles in early July!

BillieWiper · 06/07/2026 13:19

Ballotine · 06/07/2026 07:49

Well, I think that’s a fair point in a way — I think what people consider ‘niche’ says more about them, their life experience, norms, possibly social class, gender etc than about you. I mean, I personally think using a fountain pen, not driving, not flying, knitting, being multi-lingual, not owning a tv, rowing, avoiding cling film, being vegan, not having tattoos, tractor-driving, liking Roman sites etc are pretty ‘normal’. It just depends who’s looking.

I was not in the least niche when I lived in London, but I was suddenly very unusual when I moved to a village in the midlands, despite being exactly the same person. Being a foreigner who’d moved around a lot, not driving and cycling or using public transport everywhere, having a doctorate, having one child by choice, being a WOHM, often having friends from other countries to stay, speaking on the phone in other languages — statistically deeply ordinary, but not in this setting, where I was a total outlier.

Yeah that's interesting isn't it. Like in some circles its not especially niche to be a drug addict and have a criminal record. In others it's pretty outrageous to smoke a cigarette or swear!

InMySpareTime · 06/07/2026 14:07

I have 45 letters after my name if I use them all, yet my job doesn’t need any qualifications.
I paint my fences stripy even though it takes much longer, because they’re my fences and I smile when I see them.
I enjoy going to coffee mornings and chatting with pensioners even though I’m in my forties.
My DCs left home in their teens and live independently but like meeting up with us socially.
Nothing especially niche but an unusual combination of quirks.

Ballotine · 06/07/2026 19:14

BillieWiper · 06/07/2026 13:19

Yeah that's interesting isn't it. Like in some circles its not especially niche to be a drug addict and have a criminal record. In others it's pretty outrageous to smoke a cigarette or swear!

Yes, when I ended up at Oxford, my contemporaries thought I'd lived some kind of wild and crazy life because I'd had a job in a slaughterhouse and worked as a relief milker, had done a lot of hitching around the country, had spent the summer before my first term living in a squat in London and working in an East End pub, and knew someone currently in prison (because he'd been done for selling drugs at a rural crossroads). None of which was at all unusual for someone from my background. I thought they were pretty sheltered.

BillieWiper · 06/07/2026 19:56

Ballotine · 06/07/2026 19:14

Yes, when I ended up at Oxford, my contemporaries thought I'd lived some kind of wild and crazy life because I'd had a job in a slaughterhouse and worked as a relief milker, had done a lot of hitching around the country, had spent the summer before my first term living in a squat in London and working in an East End pub, and knew someone currently in prison (because he'd been done for selling drugs at a rural crossroads). None of which was at all unusual for someone from my background. I thought they were pretty sheltered.

You sound pretty rock n roll 😍

DrWhosJazzyScarf · 06/07/2026 20:02

Middle-aged goth.

igelkott2026 · 06/07/2026 20:09

Dontcallmescarface · 03/07/2026 10:09

I have no desire to own a pet of any description.

Same here though I go a step further and think it's unethical to own a pet.

My niche thing is that I use the library. I think the main demographics are children and the elderly.

igelkott2026 · 06/07/2026 20:10

26823Days · 03/07/2026 09:59

I only write with fountain pens (and I write a lot for my job).

Love this, I own two fountain pens (well cartridge pens) and should get more cartridges before TJ Jones gives up the ghost.

Livpool · 06/07/2026 20:14

SaraHoliday · 05/07/2026 16:14

Same! It freaks some people out doesn't it!

Definitely! DH loves it though as he can sit in peace in a pub while I chat to someone. Not the whole time -I’m not rude 😂

TheyGrewUp · 06/07/2026 20:14

I channel Mary Beard.
I don't give many fucks.
I give almost zero away in rl.

Ballotine · 07/07/2026 00:20

BillieWiper · 06/07/2026 19:56

You sound pretty rock n roll 😍

I was a total mess with terrible hair, in awe of people who knew they wanted to direct opera or be ethnographers!

toomanycoffeecups · 07/07/2026 00:28

I am British, English, white born and bread but due to a misspent 20s speak Thai, Laoatian . and Khmer fluently..

Zoflorabore · 07/07/2026 07:57

I have never drank coffee at the age of 48

i like ironing

i don’t know how to play rock/paper/scissors

i refuse to use the “C” word

im obsessed with crocodiles 🐊

DoubleShotEspresso · 07/07/2026 09:26

26823Days · 03/07/2026 09:59

I only write with fountain pens (and I write a lot for my job).

So pleased this is not just me! My partner is baffled by my use of fountain pens, but I find it easier & far quicker to write in ink.

JennyChawleigh · 07/07/2026 09:32

I've never owned (or wanted) a microwave.

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