12 Things You Do That Others Find Extremely Boring

Doing these things can make you boring to be around.

A woman with long brown hair and wearing a brown cardigan is seated outdoors, looking attentively towards a bald man in a blue shirt whose back is to the camera. They appear to be engaged in a conversation. A blurred fence and greenery are visible in the background.

Have you spent time with people and thought things were going well, only to see them go glassy-eyed and space out? Or are they avoiding you in public in general? Check to see if you’re doing any of the following things, as they may bore others to distraction.

1. Discussing things at length that nobody around you is interested in.

Two women sitting on a couch; the woman on the left is speaking and gesturing with her hands while smiling, wearing a light blue shirt. The woman on the right is resting her head on her hand, looking pensive, wearing a white sleeveless top.

We get it: you’re really into dinosaurs, or bitcoin, or crossfit, and you’re keen on sharing your enthusiasm with those around you. That doesn’t mean that anyone else shares your interests, however, and they may feel that they have to brace themselves around you or die of extreme boredom.

2. Repeating the same stories over and over again.

A woman with short hair is sitting at a table, resting her elbow on the table and her head on her hand while yawning. A person with a blurred face is seated across from her. The background includes blurred decor and a window.

Have you been telling the same tales for years because you haven’t done anything with your life since that one great experience happened? It’s nice that you want to share stories, but folks can only hear the same thing so many times before it simply becomes a drag to listen to. Again.

3. Not having a sense of humor, or being overly serious.

Believe it or not, few people enjoy spending time with a person who’s always serious. If you’re constantly fixating on potential downsides to situations, or refusing to see humor in silly circumstances that unfold, others will consider you boring and will likely find ways to avoid you.

4. Being on your phone all the time.

A young woman in a straw hat and denim shorts is sitting on stone steps, smiling while talking on a cellphone. Beside her, a young man in a blue shirt and shorts is sitting, looking at his cellphone with his head resting on his hand. They both have backpacks.

Nobody likes to invest time and energy into a person who doesn’t engage with them or reciprocate their efforts. When you spend time with others, have the courtesy to put your phone down and give them your full attention instead of making them feel like they aren’t a priority to you.

5. Always seeking sameness.

A man with a beard, wearing a blue shirt, sits at a table in a café, resting his head on his hand. He has a serious expression and is looking at a woman with long blonde hair sitting across from him. Both have coffee cups in front of them.

People need variety to keep life interesting, and if you insist upon sticking to regular routines, like always going to the same restaurant with your friends and ordering the same thing every time, you’ll alienate those close to you. Mix things up and let others choose new experiences to try out.

6. Letting things go on much longer than they need to.

A woman wearing a red dress and large pink sunglasses is smiling and waving as she looks through a partly open wooden gate. Bright sunlight enhances the cheerful atmosphere, and the background shows parts of a building and a garden.

It’s great if you want to share something you found fascinating, but insisting that others keep watching something they aren’t interested in will bore them to tears. The same goes for not ending get-togethers or social functions when energy starts to wind down and folks just want to go home.

7. Being overly repetitive.

Three friends are sitting on a couch, engaged in conversation, with snacks and drinks on a table in front of them. Two soccer balls are placed on the couch. The group appears relaxed and focused, possibly watching a soccer game together.

Saying the same phrase or making the same joke repeatedly during conversations gets trying very quickly. If you’re the type of person who makes “that’s what she said!” quips after those around you make even the most ordinary statements, people are going to lose patience with you very quickly.

8. Endlessly complaining about your problems but doing nothing about them.

Three young men are standing on a busy street, engaged in conversation. The man in the center is wearing a plaid shirt, while the other two are in solid-colored shirts. Blurred pedestrians and storefronts can be seen in the background.

Few things are as trying as someone who constantly complains about an issue but makes no effort to change or improve their situation. Nobody wants to hear you gripe about the same thing you’ve been moaning about for the better part of a decade.

9. Being a “yes” person.

Four friends stand and chat near a closed garage door. Two women are leaning on a bicycle while smiling, and two men are holding beverage bottles, one of them with a backpack. They are dressed casually and appear to be enjoying a lighthearted conversation.

People value authenticity and will soon tire of someone who nods and agrees blankly with what everyone else is saying. It’s okay to disagree and to contribute both original and potentially contentious viewpoints. If you don’t, you’re simply behaving like a mirror for those around you, boring them beyond words.

10. Going into “lecture” mode.

Two people sit across from each other at a small table in a café. The woman, wearing a blue shirt, looks down while stirring her drink with a straw. The man, in a gray t-shirt, faces her with his back to the camera. White chairs and windows are in the background.

Do you ask about people’s familiarity with a subject before educating them about it? Or do you ask whether they have any interest in that subject at all? Check in with people first to see if they’re interested in a topic before treating them like a captive audience.

11. Fretfulness and constant worry that requires reassurance.

Four friends sitting on a blanket in a park, engaging in a relaxed conversation. Three men and one woman are holding cups, likely enjoying hot beverages. They are casually dressed, with the men in sportswear and the woman in a maroon sweater.

Most people get anxious and need reassurance at times, but those who fret and worry about everything around them and need constant soothing from their social circles can get on people’s nerves. Few things are as boring as someone’s perpetual neediness affecting shared social activities.

12. Making others wait.

A man in a suit sits at a dining table with red tablecloth, white candles, an empty wine glass, and plate. He is talking on a cellphone and looking at his wristwatch, appearing serious and focused.

It’s inevitable that delays will happen now and then, but if you’re constantly forcing those around you to wait because you’re terrible with time management, they’re going to get bored and resentful pretty quickly. Make sure to get ready well ahead of planned departures or meet-up times to avoid this.