History Main / PastimesProvePersonality

* ''Music'': If you play an instrument, or sing, and aren't part of your local philharmonic orchestra...chances are that you suck at your chosen instrument. Neighbours will plug their ears, dogs will howl, cats will wonder who's calling for help, but the musician will be deaf to any and all criticism. Self-absorbed, and totally convinced of their own musical prowess, fictional entities who count music among their hobbies are pretentious and haughty. Instruments that nearly always sound terrible when you first learn to play them (such as the violin or the clarinet) are popular for comedy. The one exception seems to be the piano, which nearly always denotes a secret virtuoso talent and is rarely heard being played badly. However, if the musician is skilled yet doesn't play for crowds there may be chances they may be a BrokenBird or something keeping them from bringing it out to others to enjoy. On the other hand, though, if you play the drums, the electric guitar or the electric bass, you automatically become a magnificently awesome wielder of ThePowerOfRock.

** Then there's the street chess players, usually elderly or very young. May play outdoors at the park or for cash. These will be the beat the odds types, smart yet kept down a lack of societal mobility or a refusal to compromise. Often told they could make something of themselves.

** If a character in Japanese works practises Kenjutsu (as opposed to Kendo), Kobojutsu, jujutsu or any combat-orientated martial art its usually a sign of a [[HeirToTheDojo conservative, traditionalist upbringing]]. Kyuujutsu and Naginatajutsu in particular are often trademarks of TheOjou or similarly priviledged backgrounds.

** In Chinese works "Soft" styles like Tai Chi Quan or Ba Qua Quan tends to denote a philosophical or spiritual bent like a WarriorPoet or MartialPacifist. "Hard" styles like Shaolin or Wing Chun belongs to more [[ActionHero action-orientated]] [[ActionGirl characters]].

* ''Other Martial Arts'': People who are training in these can be one of two types. Villains are learning to bully others with a teacher who sneers at mercy. Heroes on the other hand are shown doing are usually honestly learning to acquire discipline at the instruction of a good sensei who ideally wants them to be [[MartialPacifist Martial Pacifists]], ever hoping to avoid violence but ready to kick butt with the best if necessary.

* ''Brawling'' Not boxing but rather any street fighting club where there is one rule: "Anything goes". Usually a past time for ruffians and hoodlums, the fights are merciless fights to the point of exhaustion or death and is often are seen as resourceful yet pessimistic, forced to partake in such bloodsports as a means to express their distaste for the world and the only that soothes them is a schoolyard brawl.

* ''Cricket'': Often the domain of [[BunnyEarsLawyer intelligent but eccentric]] types, frequently concerned with fair play. Often rather posh as well, although they tend to be a bit less smug than their golfing counterparts. Can also be a sort of Commonwealth equivalent to baseball as a GameOfNerds. Similarly to football, Cricket is often associated tied to nationality. Upper class or intellectual British characters in American works will often be Cricket fans. On the rare occasions that they appear Indian/Pakistani/Bangladeshi characters will almost certainly be Cricket 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 most Canadians love hockey. [[SubvertedTrope Except when they don't.]]
* ''Basketball'': This is usually reserved for the inner cities or colleges. If a white guy plays on the playground, that's a sign that he has connected with the poor but talented ballers that live around the playground. But remember, ''White Men Can't Jump''.

* ''Baseball'': Often regarded as a GameOfNerds, even by its own fans, though it can also show that a character is their setting's equivalent to the AllAmericanFace.
* ''American Football'': Players will either be good, [[TheAllAmericanBoy 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.
* ''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 tends to be a totally different character, usually a foreigner in the "Pelé" mold, while soccer ''fans'' tend to be depicted as pretentious yuppie types. 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.

* ''{{Tennis}}'': Like golf, only for younger and more athletic people.

* ''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 an 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. It's also a great sport for a character who finds themselves [[TrappedInAnotherWorld trapped in a]] SwordAndSorcery world find that their sport has given them their only chance to survive in life and death combat.

* ''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 an 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.

* ''Collecting'': Oh dear. In media-land, collecting is creepy. It shows obsessiveness and single mindedness, possibly also rabid passion when some sought-after trinket appears on Ebay. Much depends on what exactly is being collected: stamp collectors are boring, [[NationalRail train spotters]] are boring and slightly scary, ceramic pigs are quirky and silly and weapons...well, let's just say "Uh-oh" and leave it at that. [[note]] Collecting swords and [[KatanasAreJustBetter katana]] specifically are a sign of an unstable, loner {{Otaku}}, in most internet circles. [[/note]] Sports memorabilia, however, is acceptable and healthy, as are film/celebrity collections as long as they fall below the "scary stalker" line. Dolls of any kind equals serial killer.

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* ''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 discreet 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.

* ''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.

* {{''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 ''TabletopGame/{{Go}}''. If a Western character plays Go, you may be assured that he or she is an authentic genius.

* ''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 ''TabletopGame/{{Go}}''. If a Western character plays Go, you may be assured that he or she is an authentic genius.

* ''(American) Football'': Players will either be good, [[TheAllAmericanBoy 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.

The weird thing is, [[HiddenDepths 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.

* ''Collecting'': Oh dear. In media-land, collecting is creepy. It shows obsessiveness and single mindedness, possibly also rabid passion when some sought-after trinket appears on Ebay. Much depends on what exactly is being collected: stamp collectors are boring, [[NationalRail train spotters]] are boring and slightly scary, ceramic pigs are quirky and silly and weapons...well, let's just say "Uh-oh" and leave it at that.[[hottip:*: Collecting swords and [[KatanasAreJustBetter katana]] specifically are a sign of an unstable, loner {{Otaku}}, in most internet circles. Sports memorabilia, however, is acceptable and healthy, as are film/celebrity collections as long as they fall below the "scary stalker" line. Dolls of any kind equals serial killer.

* ''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 most Canadians love hockey.

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* ''Tennis'': Like golf, only for younger and more athletic people.

* ''Improving Physical Appearance''/''Beautifying, Interior Decorating'': 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.

* ''Collecting'': Oh dear. In media-land, collecting is creepy. It shows obsessiveness and single mindedness, possibly also rabid passion when some sought-after trinket appears on Ebay. Much depends on what exactly is being collected: stamp collectors are boring, [[NationalRail train spotters]] are boring and slightly scary, ceramic pigs are quirky and silly and weapons...well, let's just say "Uh-oh" and leave it at that.[[hottip:*: Collecting swords and [[KatanasAreJustBetter katana]] specifically are a sign of an unstable, loner {{Otaku}}, in most internet circles.]] Sports memorabilia, however, is acceptable and healthy, as are film/celebrity collections as long as they fall below the "scary stalker" line. Dolls of any kind equals serial killer.

* ''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 ''TabletopGame/{{Go}}''.

* ''Writing'': Much like drawing and painting, denotes a dreamer. However, since writing "overlaps" into the intellectual as well as the artistic, characters will be more able to voice their thoughts and speak up, so they're less introverted. Often showcases a wry sense of humour and an ability to observe and analyse people. One of the most positively portrayed hobbies...after all, guess what kind of person is creating the story..?
*** MostWritersAreWriters?

** If a character in Japanese works practises Kenjutsu (as opposed to Kendo), Kobojutsu, jujutsu or any combat-orientated martial art its usually a sign of a conservative, traditionalist upbringing. Kyuujutsu and Naginatajutsu in particular are often trademarks of TheOjou or similarly priviledged backgrounds.

'''Troping'''