Why does...

[PopClick]

So there's this guy I'll call Bob. Bob, like every other human being on the planet, has preferences about the kinds of things he likes to do for fun. For the purpose of illustration, I'll say that Bob enjoys soccer but not volleyball. There is, of course, nothing wrong with that. But he never misses an opportunity to talk about how silly volleyball is, and how boring, and what a waste of time it is.

Now, another person ("Sally") likes volleyball, but doesn't enjoy soccer. She, however, sees nothing to be gained by telling Bob what she thinks about soccer. When Bob invites her to a game, she simply says no thank you, but that she hopes Bob has fun. Because she does hope he has fun.

My question is, why does Bob feel the need to do this? Why would he try to "convert" other people over such a trivial issue (if that is, in fact, what he's doing)? Does he think that liking soccer makes him a better, more enlightened person?

 

[Donkeyfish07]

I'm not a sports fan but "Bob" sounds passionate about his interest in Soccer...extremely.....I'm the same way about card games so I can kinda relate. Some people get so into something that they just can't shut up about it, they don't want anyone else to miss out on the enjoyment they get out of it.

I don't try to convert people personally though....I'm good at reading whether somebody shares my interest or not. I don't like people going on and on about something I'm not interested in so I don't do it to other people either .

 

[LightningClap0002]

I suspect Bob isn't trying to convert anyone. That he is either 1) teasing because he knows Sally is mildly annoyed by it, or 2) he wants to do something he enjoys with someone he enjoys being with.

 

[CatHerder]

yes.....or maybe Bob is just a jerk.

 

[PopClick]

No, Sally isn't the only one who gets an earful about it. And "Bob" is like this about all of his hobbies. He seems to imply that because he does not enjoy it, then neither should they. Since he finds it "boring", then so should they.

Why would he do this?

 

[PopClick]

yes.....or maybe Bob is just a jerk.

Lol, CatHerder. I guess I was looking for a deeper driving force behind it, but you may be on to something.

 

[LightningClap0002]

No, Sally isn't the only one who gets an earful about it. And "Bob" is like this about all of his hobbies. He seems to imply that because he does not enjoy it, then neither should they. Since he finds it "boring", then so should they.

Why would he do this?

I'm as confused as sally. I'd hate to jump to CatHerder's conclusion, but Bob sounds strange. That said, there are some of us who don't naturally come by social norms.

 

[nw2u]

My guess is he is bitter about something and there is a reason he almost wants to tell someone if they will only ask. The trouble is, someone could open a big can of worms by asking. It would have to be done carefully. "Bob" is the only one who really knows why he does this.

 

[CatHerder]

One question - and an important one - Is chocolate involved? It would be totally reasonable for Bob to insult the choice of someone who chose a lemon custard over, say.... a chocolate cheesecake. I would do this too. I would even call into question someone's salvation who chose a lesser dessert over chocolate.

But if chocolate is not involved....yes. He's a jerk.

 

[PopClick]

One question - and an important one - Is chocolate involved? It would be totally reasonable for Bob to insult the choice of someone who chose a lemon custard over, say.... a chocolate cheesecake. I would do this too. I would even call into question someone's salvation who chose a lesser dessert over chocolate.

But if chocolate is not involved....yes. He's a jerk.

Lol, that particular topic hasn't come up yet. But if it did, I imagine he would say something akin to "Lemon custard? Really? The texture reminds me of infant vomit." <--- Juuuuust to make sure that Sally could never again enjoy a lemon custard.

 

[CatHerder]

Lol, that particular topic hasn't come up yet. But if it did, I imagine he would say something akin to "Lemon custard? Really? The texture reminds me of infant vomit." <--- Juuuuust to make sure that Sally could never again enjoy a lemon custard.

In all seriousness, I would ask him why he likes to say things to suck the enjoyment out of what others like to do.

This seems to serve some need. He doesn't seem very happy.

 

[Liamson]

I am Bob.

Clearly. lol

But seriously, I could easily be Bob.

Basically, what is the point of being into something if you can't be passionate about the quirks of it. Like take the Bible Forum, You've got Premillennialist, Predestination people arguing with Molinist and Presuppositionalist and Calvinist and all these people who STUDY HARD, to know both themselves and their positions and to be able to defend their positions and Denominations. Almost like Sports fans...

But those of us who are simply content to have a position and don't feel compelled to share it or defend it, it makes those people seem different.

But when it comes to sports, or Bible Peripherals, or MBTI or whatever, if I think you have a STAKE or a FAVORITE TEAM or an impassioned position concerning end times prophecy, then there is going to be a passionate conversation about that. People like having passionate conversations about the things that they love, its not an attack, its just enthusiastic. Like Mac vs PC or Organic vs. Economical, Honda vs Suzuki vs Kawasaki, etc. People want to Support what they can believe in and get behind.

Like, I like watching lots of Sports, Olympics, Football, World Cup, Women's Tennis, etc. And I can't simply watch without rooting for one side or another.

Life is a lot like that for some of us. We crave the camaraderie of having "Brothers in Arms" to be passionate about the same things that we are passionate about. Its a sort of Bonding Exercise. To say, "Hey this makes me feel alive! You should see if it does the same for you!" ...and if it does WOO HOO!!

and if it doesn't, well, I guess thats where PopClick makes a thread about it.

 

[Jullianna]

Maybe Bob has been hit in the head too many times by soccer balls.

 

[DuchessAimee]

No, Sally isn't the only one who gets an earful about it. And "Bob" is like this about all of his hobbies. He seems to imply that because he does not enjoy it, then neither should they. Since he finds it "boring", then so should they.

Why would he do this?

Bob does this out of insecurity. It sounds like a deeply rooted issue, actually. Bob probably questions himself and needs validation that what he likes is worth liking.

 

[Ariel82]

or it could be about control and an attempt to manipulate those around him to accept only HIS vaulted opinion on all things worthy of their attention.

Or he could have very poor social skills and is unable to pick up other people's nonverbal signals that his behavior makes a socially awkward situation.

Or he could know that "sally" likes volleyball and is picking on her

some guys still think the caveman club to the head is an acceptable way to ask a girl out on a date.........

 

[maxwel]

Bob does this out of insecurity. It sounds like a deeply rooted issue, actually. Bob probably questions himself and needs validation that what he likes is worth liking.

Agree.

If Bob does this over one thing... he's just extreme.

If Bob does this over EVERYTHING... yeah... he's way insecure.

 

[maxwel]

Of course it is possible that Bob is just trolling.

: )

 

[DuchessAimee]

or it could be about control and an attempt to manipulate those around him to accept only HIS vaulted opinion on all things worthy of their attention.

Or he could have very poor social skills and is unable to pick up other people's nonverbal signals that his behavior makes a socially awkward situation.

Or he could know that "sally" likes volleyball and is picking on her

some guys still think the caveman club to the head is an acceptable way to ask a girl out on a date.........

To control or manipulate someone is still done out of insecurity.


However, the lack of social skills is a very good theory. I like it.

 

[maxwel]

To control or manipulate someone is still done out of insecurity.

However, the lack of social skills is a very good theory. I like it.

I'll stick with the classical insecurity.

It pretty much works every time.

 

[Liamson]

I still don't see the problem, other than the fact that it annoys PopClick.


Pepperoni vs. Hawaiian = Pepperoni, because it tastes better.

Tennis vs Baseball = Tennis, because Baseball is barely a sport

...well I'm starting to see where some of you are coming from but still.


I think its simply goading people to talk about something. Like when someone pulls moviefan's string and lets him talk about why Predator 1 was better than Terminator or something.