6 Things You Do That Make People Think You’re Boring (Even If You’re Not)
How to Stop Unintentionally Making People Lose Interest in You
You’re telling a story, thinking it’s going great until you notice.
Their eyes, and their nods get slower, and they’re “checking a notification” that doesn’t exist.
Now, is that a you problem, or is it just that people have the attention span of a goldfish on caffeine? Hard to say. But, well, maybe it’s something you could do about.
So, if you're curious (or just want to make sure nobody secretly dreads hearing you talk), let’s break down some of the silent social crimes you might be committing.
1. You Suck at Storytelling
Some people tell stories and bring you in. And then there are people who... well, list events in order.
“So we got in the car. And then we drove there. And then we went inside. And then I ordered a coffee. And then we sat down. And then—”
MY EYES ARE CLOSING.
Or, worse:
“So I was at the store—wait, no, actually, before that, I was at my friend’s house. Or, wait, I think it was my house—actually, it doesn’t matter. Anyway, so I was at the store, right? And I see this guy—oh, wait, I forgot to tell you about the part where—”
OH MY GOD. SPIT IT OUT.
Better approach:
Start with the good part. Skip the warm-up. Jump right in. Make it feel alive.
Bad: “I went to a party last night.”
Better: “I saw a guy try to open a beer bottle with his teeth, and let’s just say... it didn’t go great.”
2. You Talk Like You’re Being Held Hostage
Some people talk like they're auditioning to be the voice of an automated system. It’s polite. It’s measured. It’s utterly devoid of anything resembling enthusiasm.
Now, I’m not saying you need to sound like a game show host who’s three Red Bulls deep, but, well…. maybe don’t talk like you’re reciting legal disclaimers.
There’s a way people talk when they’re actually interested in something, and then there’s this:
“Yeah, so, I had a pretty okay day. Work was... fine, I guess.”
“I watched that show. It was... nice.”
“Yeah, that’s cool.”
You sound like you’re filling out a customer feedback survey. And You’re doing it to yourself.
So, Talk like you mean it. If you liked something, it sounds like you actually did. If it sucked, say that. Don’t just sit there issuing vague reports like some kind of malfunctioning AI assistant.
3. You’re a “Yeah, Me Too” Person
Well, nobody likes a conversational hostage situation. You’re just trying to be agreeable. You’re trying to relate. You’re trying not to seem like a total sociopath who has no common ground with anyone.
But, at some point, “Yeah, me too” starts feeling like you’re just a glitching echo of whoever you’re talking to.
“I just got back from Italy.”
“Oh yeah, me too.”
“I just started learning to play the guitar.”
“Yeah, me too. Kinda.”
“I saw the craziest thing today—”
“Oh yeah, same.”
Like talking to a human-shaped mirror. There’s nothing to work with. It’s conversational ping-pong where you just keep slapping the ball back without adding anything.
Instead of mirroring people, engage. Ask something. Add in a weird detail. Say literally anything that gives the other person something to hold onto.
Bad: “Oh yeah, I love hiking too.”
Better: “Yeah, I went on a hike once where I got chased by an angry goat. Kinda ruined it for me.”
See the difference? in the second one people wanna hear what happened next.
4. You Never Have an Opinion on Anything
Some people talk like they’re trying not to get caught. Not caught lying. Not caught cheating. Just, I don’t know, caught existing.
“What kind of music do you like?”
“Oh, I don’t know… I like a lot of stuff.”
“Do you think pineapple belongs on pizza?”
“Eh, I don’t really have a strong opinion.”
“What’s your favorite movie?”
“I don’t know… depends.”
DO YOU EVEN EXIST?
It’s like trying to have a conversation with air. Look, nobody’s asking you to be a debate lord, but for the love of everything, have an answer. Even if people don’t agree, they’ll at least engage.
So, Pick a damn side. Like something. Dislike something. Even if it’s dumb. Even if it’s weird. Even if it’s completely wrong.
Example:
Bad: “Yeah, I don’t really care about Marvel movies.”
Better: “Honestly, I’d rather watch a two-hour video of raccoons figuring out how to open a trash can.”
Now that is something people will remember (I am a Marvel Fan by the way)
5. You Never Laugh at Jokes—Or Worse, You Over-Explain Them
Look, humor is subjective. Not everyone finds the same stuff funny. But if someone cracks a joke and you just…. sit there, unblinking, like you’re waiting for further instructions, well, it’s weird.
Even worse is that When you dissect the joke like you’re writing a term paper on it.
“Oh, I see what you did there. That’s funny because it subverts expectations—”
“Yeah, I get it. You’re using irony—”
“Oh, so it’s a play on words? I see.”
DO YOU, THOUGH? DO YOU SEE?
If something’s funny, just react. Even if it’s dumb. Even if it’s not that funny. Fake laugh if you have to. It’s better than nothing.
And if you don’t get the joke? Let it slide. No law says you have to analyze everything to death.
6. You Reply to People Like You’re in Witness Protection
Someone: “How’s it going?”
You: “Fine.”
Someone: “What’ve you been up to?”
You: “Not much.”
Someone: “How’s work?”
You: “Good.”
Congratulations. You just killed that conversation before it even started.
People can only carry you so far. If you give them nothing to work with, they’ll just.… stop trying. And then some of you might complain why people ignore me.
So, Give something. Just a crumb.
Bad: “Good.”
Better: “Not bad except for the part where I accidentally sent a work email to my mom instead of my boss.”
Now that is something people can respond to.
At the End of the Day...
Nobody is actually boring but if you keep doing this stuff, well, people might think you are. (Maybe)
Be a little more alive when you talk. Have opinions. Tell better stories.
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