To ask what you mean by 'quirky'?

[littlemissbumshine]

I see it everywhere on here, to describe both schools and people, I'm not sure whether to take it as negative or positive and what its exact meaning is! I've even seen quirky on here as meaning a child has slight SEN

I use it to express that something is different or unusual in a nice way. Maybe, as a PP stated, in an endearing way.

It is never a negative thing when I use it.

My house has been advertised as 'quirky'

Last summer 4 estate agents came to value it and all 4 of them used the word in their initial description.

People who don’t conform to the norm and aren’t afraid to be different and embrace diversity.

I get described as 'quirky'.

I usually tell them that I think it means 'made of oak'. (Quercus is the latin for oak).

Yes, that's a fairly quirky response, Zaphod

Just to put a slightly different slant on it, I would have agreed with the definition given here - until I moved to Brighton a few years ago. The boys in ds's class were all, without exception, described as 'quirky' by their parents. There was a very defined style amongst the boys - longish, quite unkempt hair, slightly too small home-knitted jumpers, and brown/grey cargo trousers. Not one had an interest in football or gaming - in fact, not one (to my knowledge) owned a games console. Hobbies were very much more in the realms of geocaching, boating, carpentry etc.
Yet, it was DS who was the only one not considered 'quirky', despite being completely different in his appearance and interests.

I would consider the character Phoebe from Friends to be quirky. I wouldn't see quirky as negative

Jock was that the Brighton Steiner school?

billy no, not the Steiner school, but very much that type!

Someone who marches to their own beat, is a bit off centre, often very artistic or creative.

There used to be lots of quirky posters on MN.

I too have been described as quirky many times in my life, and see it as a compliment! I view it as a bit unusual/ weird in a good way..
As an ex punk and maker of all things kitsch, i love all things quirky!

In the horse world if you describe a horse as quirky, it’s probably a psycho and you wouldn’t want to ride it!
My daughter prefers to ride the ‘quirky’ ones!

I and others describe my autistic ds as quirky.

He's highly intelligent with an interesting view of the world.

His quirks aren't seen as a negative thing but they can have a negative effect on those around him.

I also sometimes use it negatively though to describe for instance, someone who at the age of 40 decides to get tattoos and start wearing “alternative” clothing, say retro gear.

So sorry; I'll get me coat. I never realised that 'quirky' was the preserve of the under 40s. Slips away quietly

I would say to me it means "a bit weird, but it's not hurting anyone".