History Analysis / PastimesProvePersonality

* ''Fortune Telling'': Fictional people don't have "a passing interest" in the tarot. They don't just draw the line at knowing their [[WesternZodiac star sign]]. They are completely obsessed with the notion of "luck" and the movement of the planets, and won't get out of bed unless Jupiter says it's all right. Don't expect them to be otherwise sane and rational -- they're almost invariably the CloudCuckooLander crossed with TheDitz. Unless, of course, they're the cynical ConMan (or woman), fooling gullible punters out of their cash. Fantasy tales, however, are more forgiving, and {{Anime}} and {{Manga}} tend to show fortune-telling in a positive light, with mild "dreamer" overtones. To add to all of the above, people involved in fortune-telling don't just specialize in one specific art form such as say astrology or cartomancy, but are often walking encyclopedias not just in a variety of arts from tarot to oracle bones, but also the occult and supernatural, period.At the very least, people into fortune-telling have a familiarity with taboo and paranormal subjects like demonology and Ouija boards) and often their backstory involves some past mishap with a wizard or demon or sorts of supernatural beings. If they are shown to be sane or not involved with occultic arts or supernatural entities, often fortune-tellers and people into the hobbies are portrayed as con artists who make big bucks daily communicating with the dead relative or predicting the futures of desperate people seeking guidance in personal matters (often the subject of love or money).

* ''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. Protagonists into boxing are often the StandardFiftiesFather or at least have associated traits of the archetype as an integral part of his personality. ''Very'' occasionally presented as a past-time for the manly upperclass type, such as in English tales of boarding schools. One real life example is Brian Blessed and [[http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/uncategorized/presenting-dalai-lama-the-boxer_100115429.html the Dalai Lama]] of all people.

* ''Gardening'': Usually female. Indicates a caring, nurturing personality and a telltale sign of the NatureLover. Required outfit: overalls and a hat with a flower on it.

* ''Horse Riding'': is largely dependent on the type of 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 asocial, 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.

** How a character rides matters as well - whether they're disciplined, fastidious, passionate, competitive, or domineering. How they treat their horse will ''definitely'' show what they value.

* ''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 - one witticism runs "Rugby is a game for Thugs played by Gentlemen; Football is a game for Gentlemen played by Thugs." 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. The elite, Public School stereotype is traditionally associated with UsefulNotes/RugbyUnion, with UsefulNotes/RugbyLeague being the sport for the working class, but many people confuse the two. 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 (at which the fan of American football will remind the rugby player that the American sport has the body armor because the hits are much, much harder).

* ''UsefulNotes/IceHockey'': 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 [[CanadianEqualsHockeyFan most Canadians love hockey]]. [[SubvertedTrope Except when they don't.]]

* ''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 GentlemanSnarker 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 with a combat sophistication that the {{Mook}}s there aren't prepared for.

** 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 [[CombatPragmatist no-holds-barred fighting using shields, daggers, cloaks, firearms, grappling, and every dirty trick they could dream up.]] 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 an [[AcceptableBreaksFromReality Acceptable Break From Reality]]. 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 more romantic depictions.
* ''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. Protagonists into boxing are often the StandardFiftiesFather or at least have associated traits of the archetype as an integral part of his personality. ''Very'' occasionally presented as a pasttime for the manly upperclass type, such as in English tales of boarding schools. One real life example is Brian Blessed and [[http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/uncategorized/presenting-dalai-lama-the-boxer_100115429.html the Dalai Lama]] of all people.

* ''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 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.

** In Chinese works "Soft" styles like Tai Chi Quan or Ba Qua Quan tend to denote a philosophical or spiritual bent like a WarriorPoet or MartialPacifist. "Hard" styles like Shaolin or Wing Chun belong to more [[ActionHero action-oriented]] [[ActionGirl characters.]]
** If a character in Japanese works practises Kenjutsu (as opposed to Kendo), Kobojutsu, jujutsu or any combat-oriented martial art it's usually a sign of a [[HeirToTheDojo conservative, traditionalist upbringing.]] Kyuujutsu and Naginatajutsu in particular are often trademarks of TheOjou or similarly privileged backgrounds.

* ''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. 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.

* ''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 analyze people. One of the most positively portrayed hobbies, especially in literature...after all, guess [[MostWritersAreWriters what kind of person is creating the story.]]
** Different story (sorry, [[IncrediblyLamePun awful pun...]]) if they like to write ''poetry'' however. If it's not EmoTeen angst, it's an insult to the English language, full of bad rhyming schemes, malapropisms and no sense of meter. The wannabe poet is more akin to the wannabe musician than their storytelling counterpart, and a ''good'' poet is a rare creature indeed. When one ''is'' found, though, they have many of the same traits as a female painter.

Puzzlers, gamers, tech-heads...call them what you will, people who undertake these hobbies like to think. Like the artists, they're normally pretty introverted, but they're happy to brag about their I.Q. if asked. [[SquishyWizard Their physique suffers for their sedentary nature though, and these folk aren't usually physically strong.]] Some may even be adverse to daylight/going outside, although they usually have a support group in the form of their chosen subculture.

* ''TabletopGame/{{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 they are an authentic genius.

* ''Fortune Telling'': Fictional people don't have "a passing interest" in the tarot. They don't just draw the line at knowing their [[WesternZodiac star sign.]] They are completely obsessed with the notion of "luck" and the movement of the planets, and won't get out of bed unless Jupiter says it's all right. Don't expect them to be otherwise sane and rational -- they're almost invariably the CloudCuckooLander crossed with TheDitz. Unless, of course, they're the cynical ConMan (or woman), fooling gullible punters out of their cash. Fantasy tales, however, are more forgiving, and {{Anime}} and {{Manga}} tend to show fortune-telling in a positive light, with mild "dreamer" overtones. To add to all of the above, people involved in fortune-telling don't just specialize in one specific art form such as say astrology or cartomancy, but are often walking encyclopedias not just in a variety of arts from tarot to oracle bones, but also the occult and supernatural, period.At the very least, people into fortune-telling have a familiarity with taboo and paranormal subjects like demonology and Ouija boards) and often their backstory involves some past mishap with a wizard or demon or sorts of supernatural beings. If they are shown to be sane or not involved with occultic arts or supernatural entities, often fortune-tellers and people into the hobbies are portrayed as con artists who make big bucks daily communicating with the dead relative or predicting the futures of desperate people seeking guidance in personal matters (often the subject of love or money).

** On the one hand, a car enthusiast may have elements of a [[RedOniBlueOni Red Oni,]] being a loud, charismatic, devilish firebrand with a flair for [[CoolCar the loudest, brightest, fastest cars around,]] and/or highly competitive like the Sports personalities at the top of the page.

* ''Cooking'': Depends on whether the person in question is [[FeminineWomenCanCook female,]] [[RealMenWearPink male]] (although the SupremeChef is just as likely to be either), a [[LethalChef terrible cook,]] a [[CordonBleughChef strange one,]] or [[SupremeChef very, very good.]] Can also be [[ChefOfIron a total badass]].

* ''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 they are an authentic genius.

* ''[[CrosswordPuzzle Crossword puzzles]]'': Like chess and reading, this is generally a quiet, solitary affair. Given the differences between crosswords in the United States and Great Britian, the reflection on the character depends on where the work occurs. See CrosswordPuzzle for details.

** ''Cartooning'': Amateur cartoonists in fiction are usually male and tend to have an active sense of humor. They're often a CoolLoser or TheSlacker. Most of their characters are probably [[WriteWhoYouKnow thinly veiled caricatures of their friends]]. They are even more likely than other artists to get lost in their fictional worlds, to the extent of hallucinating that their characters are in the room talking to them.

* ''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 of 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.

** On the other hand, there may be the [[RedOniBlueOni Blue Oni]] autophiles. Often portrayed treating cars as if they were people, even finding them easier to interact with than actual humans, this signifies a more intellectual variant not unlike the puzzlers, but with a freer spirit that just wants to go fast.
* ''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. A common stereotype of gay men.
* ''Taxidermy:'' Let's face it, TaxidermyIsCreepy, and so are people who engage in it as a hobby.

As a general rule, an interest in sports indicates athleticism, charisma, competitiveness and enthusiasm. Most sports will be seen as a male domain, and any woman entering into them will be part of a YouGoGirl storyline. However, a few sports will be seen as ladylike and feminine, implying quiet strength, gracefulness and determination rather than the supposedly "masculine" attributes listed above.

* ''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 ones, 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 flamboyant as other artists, preferring to stay simple and neat.

* ''[[GeniusBookClub Reading]]'': Since it's more passive than writing, and not "creative" as such, it falls into the intellectual category. Readers are quiet and don't like being disturbed; you'll find them in the library hissing "Sssshhh!" as TheHero and his FiveManBand do battle with the monster that just jumped out of [[TomeOfEldritchLore that scary looking book]]. Often an intellectual snob, shown reading books far above their peers' ability level. A prerequisite hobby for the TVGenius, unless he's solely a mathematical type. Children caught reading generally have a high level of imagination, and depending on how surreal the show is, the characters may end up interacting with the worlds from the child's books.

** 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 [[CombatPragmatist no-holds-barred fighting using shields, daggers, cloaks, firearms, grappling, and every dirty trick they could dream up.]] 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 more romantic depictions.