History Analysis / PastimesProvePersonality

* ''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.

* ''Tabletop roleplaying'': a character with this hobby will always be a {{Nerd}} and/or {{Geek}}, usually a very stereotypical one.

* ''UsefulNotes/{{Bodybuilding}}'': Often in a favorite pastime of JerkJock, or if they're not school athletes, TheBully. JerkJock and TheBully portrayals show bodybuilders as vain and narcissistic who spend hours looking at their muscles in the mirror and bragging towards others about how strong they are. Positive portrayals tend to show people who indulge in this hobby as TheStoic or involved in other manly hobbies such as car racing. Both negative and positive portrayals show practitioners of the hobby as all round strong people in every way be it a la JackOfAllStats or even the LightningBruiser within their team. Also popularly portrayed as something taken up in the backstory of those who TookALevelInBadass and even credited as the primary reason why TheLoad in the cast became much stronger later to hold off on his own and indeed why the victim of TheBully finally was able to stand up later in the plot. In addition to often being the pastime of physical JackOfAllStats and LightningBruiser, almost any modern sports fiction shows all athletes in the plot doing at least some form of weightlifting (which is truthintelevision as in recent years competitive sports emphasized weights as a way to increase one's edge in any sport).

* ''Collecting'': Oh dear. In media-land, collecting is creepy. It shows obsessiveness and single-mindedness, possibly also rabid passion when some highly sought-after trinket appears on Ebay. Much depends on what exactly is being collected: stamp collectors are boring, [[UsefulNotes/NationalRail train spotters]] are boring and slightly scary, ceramic pigs are quirky and silly, and [[WallOfWeapons 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.

* ''Collecting'': Oh dear. In media-land, collecting is creepy. It shows obsessiveness and single-mindedness, possibly also rabid passion when some highly sought-after trinket appears on Ebay. Much depends on what exactly is being collected: stamp collectors are boring, [[UsefulNotes/NationalRail train spotters]] are boring and slightly scary, ceramic pigs are quirky and silly, and [[WallOfWeapons 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.

** ''The Acting Snob'': Practices the Stanislavski method. Is often neurotic, and may randomly jump in and out of character. Is generally not into the fame game. Uses words like 'motivation' and 'objective'. Detests anyone not considered "a true actor". Can be just as snobbish as the Broadway Diva or the Movie Star. Prone to thinking he/she is the greatest thing since {{God}}. Often form their own group-within-a-group in theater circles.
** ''The High School Techie'': Is usually stoned out of his/her mind, with several piercings and brightly-dyed hair. Often wears black clothes even when not actually teching. Likes explosions and stage fog. Opposite type may be the overworked, underappreciated Type A grunt.
** ''The Broadway Diva'': Does musical theatre. Can sing and dance with the best of them. Is either the AlphaBitch or SpoiledSweet. Generally cannot act to save his/her life, or gets locked into one particular character type. If male, is virtually always gay.

* ''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.

* ''[[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 his/her 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.

* ''Computer Games'': Most kids will have a nodding acquaintance with Playstation/Nintendo/Xbox etc. but some have become masters of the console. Obsessive, anti-social and caught up in a world that doesn't really exist, there will almost certainly be a plot about convincing them to join the real world. That goes double if they're a PC gamer, and triple if they're into online roleplaying games. ''Then'' they're liable to forget their real name, and become totally convinced that they are [[NamesToRunAwayFromReallyFast Zaxxathor, Devourer Of Baby Unicorns]]. If their platform of choice is the computer, they are often portrayed as a PlayfulHacker and masters of all things computer-related and are portrayed [[DigitalPiracyIsOkay opposing]] the claim that DigitalPiracyIsEvil. Very often gamers are given GeekPhysiques unless they are female (where they are instead portrayed as HollywoodNerd or HollywoodHomely and thus incredibly attractive). More positive portrayals portray male gamers as ClosetGeek who love gaming as an integral part of their lives but rarely reveal their interest in the hobby with anyone but their friends.

** The kind of music that you listen to will also often signify something. Listening to classical music or opera will mark you out as an intellectual and/or a snob, cooler intellectuals will listen to jazz and blues. Rock will usually denote you a rebel, while liking modern pop is often the preserve of the popular teenager. Listening to country is almost unheard of, and most assuredly makes you a redneck from the DeepSouth. People who do not listen to music don't exist.

* ''Collecting'': Oh dear. In media-land, collecting is creepy. It shows obsessiveness and single-mindedness, possibly also rabid passion when some highly sought-after trinket appears on Ebay. Much depends on what exactly is being collected: stamp collectors are boring, [[UsefulNotes/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.

* ''Computer Games'': Most kids will have a nodding acquaintance with the Playstation/Wii/Xbox etc. but some have become masters of the console. Obsessive, anti-social and caught up in a world that doesn't really exist, there will almost certainly be a plot about convincing them to join the real world. That goes double if they're a PC gamer, and triple if they're into online roleplaying games. ''Then'' they're liable to forget their real name, and become totally convinced that they are [[NamesToRunAwayFromReallyFast Zaxxathor, Devourer Of Baby Unicorns]]. If their platform of choice is the computer, they are often portrayed as a PlayfulHacker and masters of all things computer-related and are portrayed [[DigitalPiracyIsOkay opposing]] the claim that DigitalPiracyIsEvil. Very often gamers are given GeekPhysiques unless they are female (where they are instead portrayed as HollywoodNerd or HollywoodHomely and thus incredibly attractive). More positive portrayals portray male gamers as ClosetGeek who love gaming as an integral part of their lives but rarely reveal their interest in the hobby with anyone but their friends.