To ask why nobody on MN will say what their hobby is?

[sweeneytoddsrazor]

So many threads involving time and money spent on either their own or partners hobby, but never any mention of what the hobby is. Perhaps there is some sort of hobby hierarchy that I am unaware of where some hobbies are seen as bragging and some down right embarrassing.

my hobby is writing or crafting (all different sorts) or procrastinating about not doing my hobbies whilst titting about on the internet. DPs hobby is watching all rugby that's ever been on, or reading incessantly about all rugby that has or ever will be.

There’s an mner that never says what instrument her dc plays because it’s rare and outing. Dc is apparently genius level on said instrument. Can anyone find Instrument X

Washboard, didgeridoo? Seriously what instrument can possibly by that rare?

Pilates , book club and drinking wine . I suppose I have outed myself now

Maybe she's a world-renowned Chapman Stick player!

I think people just don't want to build up a picture of their lives, in case someone they know joins the dots.

So no, saying your hobby is jogging isn't identifying. But if you say you go jogging with a bunch of friends every Saturday afternoon, and have already said on another thread that you're a solicitor and on another thread that your DD has just changed schools then someone could recognise you.

A theremin?

I think theremins are a bit more mainstream these days

A Janko keyboard?

None of those, but it’s in the same kind of vein as yacht racing I guess.

Because they like to revel in the mystery and pretentiousness of having an "outing hobby" that makes them sound more exciting. Most blokes seem to be into golf, cycling and cricket if my experience on OLD is anything to go by. I'm not sure how it's a hobby as hobbies to me are things like stamp collecting, model making, baking, knitting, crafty things etc basically non-sport activities.

MN is the closest I get to having any sort of hobby.

Sousaphone?

OH and i have a i suppose you could call it a hobby though some would call it a lifestyle its motorbiking we go to rallies, out on rides rock nights club nights, but in between we are normal ordinary people with normal jobs

Some stuff isn't outing, unless under very specific circumstances, e.g. running.

However some stuff is, and it doesn't have to be ice-sculpture.

There was a nice MNer once whose posts I tended to notice because she had a nice turn of phrase and a pleasant online demeanour. Over the course of a few months on MN, I picked up her age, the age of her children, and the county she lived in.

And then, one day, she made a post in Chat and I realised that this complete stranger goes to a work colleague's tennis* class, just because she mentioned the tennis tournament their club ran the previous weekend.

So now, I also know where she is one night of the week every week, and I could go there, hang around, and follow her home, too.

I've been really careful to only talk about my own "hobby" ever since.

*Not actually tennis

KeysHairbandNotepad you've actually listed all 3 of my hobbies.

I knit badly, cross stitch, is reading a hobby? eating cheese, coming on here and playing board games with family.

Salsa here - and there must be at least a few hundred thousand people who do that. I've never referred to it as a hobby though. I say I dance salsa. Interestingly salsa seems to have an extraordinary power to break up relationships, so when I see the mysterious 'hobby' mentioned as a relationship problem, in my mind it's always salsa:)

Me and DH play/watch Crown green bowling.

my hobby is Nando’s

Mine collects Dr Who memorabilia. That's pretty niche but I'm sure he won't be recognised!

JamieVardysHavingAParty

I just change my username once a week or so. Then I don't have to worry about the little details I share adding up to anything.

I crochet blankets for my cats.

My hobby is drinking tea, eating cake and reading Take a Break. I sometimes do the puzzles.

Puts on hat and dark glasses

If you are at genius level playing a rare musical instrument and you mention that, of course that is outing. For example, if you say you play a theramin, that would not out you. If you are a recognised genius on a theramin, that would out you.