History Main / PastimesProvePersonality

* ''Chess'': Quite simply, SmartPeoplePlayChess. Patient, brainy, enigmatic...boring as heck. The chess player has a lot of mental prowess, but a limited social circle and little knowledge of the "real world". Speaks slowly and thoughtfully, and can be a master tactician, if called upon. Maybe that's why some of them toughen up, graduate to supervillainy and become [[TheChessmaster very formidable foes indeed...]]. In eastern works, this may be replaced with [Go]

* ''Crafting'': will usually indicate someone down-to-earth. A jewelry maker will be female and extravagant. A woodworker will be male and make simple toys for children. In some cases, moreso with bad characters, expect the crafter to give handmade gifts to friends who then have to pretend the item is the greatest gift ever. Crafters tend not to be quite as creative as other artists, preferring to stay simple and neat.
* Improving Physical Appearance: Theoretically this can be as valid a hobby as any. However most who indulge in this are presented as foolish and vain; TheDandy if male, or a BrainlessBeauty if female. Sometimes it is allowed as a minor eccentricity to an [[CulturedBadass upper-class hero or heroine]], perhaps to [[StiffUpperLip make a statement]]. Interestingly, it is seldom presented as a hobby in itself for some reason or another.

* ''Boxing'': Reminiscent of the mid-twentieth century, when Muhammad Ali was a national hero and watching two men beat each other to a pulp was the single joy of the middle class. A present-day character who boxes in his spare time will be a down-to-Earth man with a backbone of steel, one who never gives up. Will frequently be seen hitting the bag to relieve stress.

If, on the other hand, the hobby is introduced as the same time a character is -- for example, "Hey guys, meet Marie, we met at the sci-fi convention last week" -- it's the ''viewer'' who knows what to expect in terms of personality. Sometimes this will be exploited in AnAesop about not jumping to conclusions, especially if the person whose hobby is being mentioned is a main character. If they're a one-shot or side character, however, don't expect too many surprises; writers seldom spend time on revealing the complexities of a minor character's psychology, and are usually quite happy to let the stereotype stand.

* ''Crafting'': will usually indicate someone down-to-earth. A jewelry maker will be female and extravagant. A woodworker will be male and make simple toys for children. If they're either good or bad, but moreso when bad, expect them to give handmade gifts to friends who then have to pretend the item is the greatest gift ever. Crafters tend not to be quite as creative as other artists, preferring to stay simple and neat.
* Improving Physical Appearance: Theoretically this can be as valid a hobby as any. However most who indulge in this are presented as foolish and vain; TheDandy if male, or a BrainlessBeauty if female. Sometimes it is allowed as a minor eccentricity to an [[CulturedBadass upper-class hero or heroine]], perhaps to [[StiffUpperLip make a statement]]. Interestingly it is seldom presented as a hobby in itself for some reason or another.

* ''(American) Football'': Players will either be good, [[AllAmericanBoy all-American boys]] or the JerkJock. In recent years, it tends to be the latter. Either way, ego issues will probably come into play at some point; between cheerleaders and celebrity status at their school, football players will probably get above themselves eventually, and have to be brought down a peg or two. As a spectator sport however, American football is universal, resulting in many armchair experts passing comments on the game, and many, ''many'' male bonding episodes.

* ''(American) Football'': Players will either be good, all-American boys or the JerkJock. In recent years, it tends to be the latter. Either way, ego issues will probably come into play at some point; between cheerleaders and celebrity status at their school, football players will probably get above themselves eventually, and have to be brought down a peg or two. As a spectator sport however, American football is universal, resulting in many armchair experts passing comments on the game, and many, ''many'' male bonding episodes.

Occasionally, the hobby will provide a "punchline" for the character because it is completely at odds with their personality. This may lend them credibility, as in the case of the {{Nerd}} who's also a skateboarder, or be a bit of an AchillesHeel, as with TheLibby with an astonishingly large collection of comic books.

** ''The Broadway Diva'': Does musical theatre. Can sing and dance with the best of them. Is either TheLibby or SpoiledSweet. Generally cannot act to save his/her life, or gets locked into one particular character type. If male, is virtually always gay.

** The rapier's status as a "gentleman's weapon" is a definite case of HollywoodHistory; in the early Renaissance, the rapier used to be the weapon of highwaymen, street-side duelists, muggers, and murderers. Fencing masters were seen as criminals. Fencing academies were outlawed by the British as a source of great violence as these were the province of [[CombatPragmatists no-holds-barred fighting using shields, daggers, cloaks, firearms, grappling, and every dirty trick they could dream of]]. Eventually, the aristocracy took to dueling and the image of the swordsman was cleaned up, but before then, calling someone a good fencer was a grave insult - like calling someone a good cocaine mule. Media don't portray it that way in period pieces as a NecessaryWeasel; accurate portrayals of the complex and brutal swordsmanship of that era and the dangerous, gang-like life of these men would seem like a {{Deconstruction}} to audiences raised on much more romantic depictions.

* ''Fencing'': Symbolic of Europe and the aristocracy, which has its roots in the rapier being a "gentleman's weapon" in the olden days. The bourgeois, conceited rich man will often be seen fencing in his spare time, sometimes killing his opponents if he is being set up to be particularly evil. Fencing is also used as a measure of intelligence - no dumb character wins a fencing match. If sympathetic and female, the fencer will usually be a LadyOfWar if she's an ActionGirl or a UpperClassWit if not. The ''{{Socialite}}'', NonIdleRich, BlueBlood, or RoyalsWhoActuallyDoSomething might fence. If from the working or middle classes, only pretentious college students at StrawmanU or plucky protagonists challenging the Old Boys Network would fence.

** The rapier's status as a "gentleman's weapon" is a definite case of HollywoodHistory; it used to be the weapon of highwaymen, street-side duelists, muggers, and murderers. Fencing academies were outlawed by the British as a source of great violence. Eventually, the aristocracy took to dueling, but before then, calling someone a good fencer was a grave insult - like calling someone a good cocaine mule. Media don't portray it that way, probably as one of the AcceptableBreaksFromReality.

* ''Fencing'': Symbolic of Europe and the aristocracy, which has its roots in the rapier being a "gentleman's weapon" in the olden days. The bourgeois, conceited rich man will often be seen fencing in his spare time, sometimes killing his opponents if he is being set up to be particularly evil. Fencing is also used as a measure of intelligence - no dumb character wins a fencing match.
** The style of fencing also indicates the personality and relationship of the practitioners. Of the three types of fencing, foil is the most often displayed; it's governed by a complicated right of way system that is often set in parallel to a witty debate ("Lunge! Parry, riposte!") Epee rules, on the other hand, has no right of way, so that it is as important to avoid one's opponent's blade as it is to be the first to strike. Sabre, which allows for whipping blows with the side of the blade, is the most brutal. Your miliage may vary as many sabre fencers will be quick to point out how only the top half of the body is the target area, the requirements of priority, and how consistent speed in all three weapons requires sacrificing raw power. An out of hand match that ranges all over the stage will also show whether or not a character is resourceful or how equally matched the two combatants are. And foil has a more complicated priority system than the other two and a much smaller target area, requiring small accurate movements. All in all. Epee is the most aggressive, Sabre the most varied and stylistic, and foil the most precise.

* ''Baseball'': Often regarded as a GameOfNerds, even by its own fans.

** The style of fencing also indicates the personality and relationship of the practitioners. Of the three types of fencing, foil is the most often displayed; it's governed by a complicated right of way system that is often set in parallel to a witty debate ("Lunge! Parry, riposte!") Epee rules, on the other hand, has no right of way and may indicate a more straightforwardly aggressive, sacrifice-for-the-win personality. Sabre, which allows for whipping blows with the side of the blade, is the most brutal. Your miliage may vary as many sabre fencers will be quick to point out how only the top half of the body is the target area, the requirements of priority, and how consistent speed in all three weapons requires sacrificing raw power. An out of hand match that ranges all over the stage will also show whether or not a character is resourceful or how equally matched the two combatants are. And foil has a more complicated priority system than the other two and a much smaller target area, requiring small accurate movements. All in all. Epee is the most aggressive, Sabre the most varied and stylistic, and foil the most precise.

* ''Football/Soccer'': In the UK, this is seen as a normal, wholesome hobby that every male should be into: knowing the offside rule is tantamount to Being A Man. As with American football, boys will usually play it when they're younger and be content just to watch it as they grow up. If a young boy ''isn't'' into football, expect it to be a plot point (and probably a major source of conflict between the boy and his dad). Japan shares this view to a certain extent, with football players in anime being good athletes and all-round decent guys. In the USA however, soccer is viewed as fairly sedate and boring, with American Football filling the role of the "everyman" sport. In fact, the "soccer player" in American works is usually a totally different character, usually a foreigner in the "Pelé" mold. Girls' soccer is also sometimes shown in American works, indicating the character is athletic without the YouGoGirl plots that are obligatory when a girls' football team is featured in British media. Can also be used as part of their nationality, working class British characters in American works will often be football fans.

* ''Ice Hockey'': Often depicted as the most rough and tumble sport where fighting is all but encouraged and the players are hulking bruisers with teeth missing. For some variety, there is the Wayne Gretzky type of a small, but phenomenally skilled and fast player who skate rings around his opposition, even if it's his goon teammates who cover his flanks as he breaks for the goal. If a character is Canadian, this hobby tells you nothing, because all Canadians love hockey.

Jobs can tell us a lot about a person, but the fact is that very few jobs really showcase our true colours. Some of us will be lucky enough to snag that legendary "dream job," but most of us work because we have to, and that can mean anything from slapping a grin on our face when dealing with a customer we secretly wish we could disembowel with a teaspoon, to accepting a job well below our ability level because we need to pay the rent.

* ''Ice Hockey'': Often depicted as the most rough and tumble sport where fighting is all but encouraged and the players are hulking bruisers with teeth missing. For some variety, there is the Wayne Gretzky type of a small, but phenomenally skilled and fast player who skate rings around his opposition, even if its his goon teammates who cover his flanks as he breaks for the goal. If a character is Canadian, this hobby tells you nothing, because all Canadians love hockey.

* ''Golf'': Generally reserved for the rich, although working-class characters will sometimes visit the golf course either as caddies or because they aspire to a higher rank in society. Golfers are generally portrayed as smug and boring. They are also often shown as being prone to cheating, with underlings being warned not to beat the boss at his favourite game. Note that in works by older authors, such as newspaper comics, golf can also be viewed as an activity for the everyman, although it is considered leisurely and relaxing rather than particularly athletic. Almost always associated with middle aged or older men, while younger men (or women) might play it as part of the plot, it's rarely their hobby.

* ''Drawing/Painting'': The pastime of true dreamers, passionate and perceptive. Girls will be genteel and soft spoken, losing themselves in the worlds they create with their paintbrush. Guys get a rougher deal -- they're grandiose and melodramatic, thinking of themselves as the next Monet/Picasso/Van Gogh despite a probably-glaring lack of actual artistic ability. [[TrueArtIsIncomprehensible Modern or post-modern art]] can provide a punchline in itself ("Er...what ''is'' it???) Then there's the "tortured artist" - gothic, self-obsessed and nihilistic, expect a woe-is-me tirade at least OnceAnEpisode. Other artists may paint possessed by their emotions, showing a sensitive and easily overwhelmed personality.

* ''Horse Riding'': is largely dependent on the type saddle used - English, Western, bareback, or side saddle in period pieces. Whether a woman, given the option, rides or avoids side saddle is a rough indication of her view on stereotypical gender roles. English saddle riders are often upper class, snobby, and possibly NotGoodWithPeople, brusque and impatient. Polo playing or fox hunting can be used to demonstrate a savvy character who expresses disturbing brutality in socially acceptable or discrete ways. Western saddle riders are often practical working class people, hands on and free spirited. Young horse riders are portrayed more sympathetically, seen as enthusiastic and genuinely loving their four-legged friends, the odd SpoiledBrat ("I want a pony!") notwithstanding. The PonyTale, of course, broadens the personality types considerably... although it still likes to employ the stereotypes as well.

The weird thing is, once this hobby is revealed, a character's social circle tends to disregard everything they previously knew (or supposed) about their friend. If the GirlNextDoor is revealed to be a kickboxer at the weekends, her associates will instantly assume that she's only "pretending" to be a wholesome sweetheart and is actually an ActionGirl. On the other hand, if the school bully is revealed to attend piano lessons three times a week, he can expect a sudden upturn in his romantic success, as the ladies decide that his unexpected musical talent proves that he's a [[JerkWithAHeartOfGold sensitive soul at heart]], and hides it beneath a thuggish exterior.

** The style of fencing also indicates the personality and relationship of the practitioners. Of the three types of fencing, foil is the most often displayed; it's governed by a complicated right of way system that is often set in parallel to a witty debate ("Lunge! Parry, riposte!") Epee rules, on the other hand, has no right of way and may indicate a more straightforwardly aggressive, sacrifice-for-the-win personality. Sabre, which allows for whipping blows with the side of the blade, is the most brutal. An out of hand match that ranges all over the stage will also show whether or not a character is resourceful.

* ''Football/Soccer'': In the UK, this is seen as a normal, wholesome hobby that every male should be into: knowing the offside rule is tantamount to Being A Man. As with American football, boys will usually play it when they're younger and be content just to watch it as they grow up. If a young boy ''isn't'' into football, expect it to be a plot point (and probably a major source of conflict between the boy and his dad). Japan shares this view to a certain extent, with football players in anime being good athletes and all-round decent guys. In the USA however, soccer is viewed as fairly sedate and boring, with American Football filling the role of the "everyman" sport. In fact, the "soccer player" in American works is usually a totally different character, usually a foreigner in the "Pelé" mold. Girls' soccer is also sometimes shown in American works, indicating the character is athletic without the YouGoGirl plots that are obligatory when a girls' football team is featured in British media. Can also be used as part of their nationality, working class British characters in American works will often be football fans.

The weird thing is, once this hobby is revealed, a character's social circle tends to disregard everything they previously knew (or supposed) about their friend. If the GirlNextDoor is revealed to be a kickboxer at the weekends, her associates will instantly assume that she's only "pretending" to be a wholesome sweetheart and is actually an ActionGirl. On the other hand, if the school bully is revealed to attend piano lessons three times a week, he can expect a sudden upturn in his romantic success, as the ladies decide that his unexpected musical talent proves that he's [[JerkWithAHeartOfGold sensitive soul at heart]], and hides it beneath a thuggish exterior.

*''Rugby'': Has a bit of a mixed reputation. On one hand, as an English Public School staple, it's seen as a "serious" sport practiced by the elite of society. On the other hand, however, it's tough, physical and the injuries can be pretty horrific, making it a sport for the hardy working class man. Characters can therefore vary between the "sportsmanship at all costs, old chap" schoolboy and the unstoppable macho man. If American football is mentioned, a rugby-playing character will sneer at it as "not a proper sport": despite looking very similar to American football, rugby is played ''without'' the copious amounts of protective equipment.