Which niche hobby communities have the nicest/most interesting/most inclusive people?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:All these groups have people that are so weird, though. Are weird people more inclusive because they don't care what people think of them?

You are clearly not the type OP is looking for.

[Anonymous]

Genealogy hobbyists are kind and very welcoming. We tend to be an eclectic bunch but are very interesting people collectively.

[Anonymous]

I love my yoga friends. They are open minded, all ages, and very humble (many have had crazy lives and have learned from them).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Triathletes.
Why excel at one thing when you can be mediocre at three?

I respectfully disagree. Well, I have no idea if the people I see at Wilson Aquatic Ctr. are interesting, or the guys cycling too fast in RCP within inches of geriatric walkers are inclusive — maybe they are? — but as a cohort, these weekend warriors are NOT nice. The ripped, middle-age+ women who swim midday are, uniformly, bitchy. I should know, I've been in the "FAST" lane(s) for years alongside them. The affluent dudes on $4,000+ bikes going waaay too fast for conditions, then yell at kids learning to ride bikes for the first time to MOVE RIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! on a multi-use trail on a Saturday at 2 pm? Not nice.

Plus they tend to be intense and self-satisfied, at all ages. Doesn't make you a d!@k, but wouldn't confuse these traits with "nicest".

— a D.C. former triathlete.

[Anonymous]

I think runners tend to be very kind - but you need to find a group
for your pace - I am a slower runner and found a good group

[Anonymous]

Miniaturists. I’m still best friends with a lady 20+ yrs later and she’s 30+ yrs older than me*. I’m also still friendly with several ladies from the same group.
*I also have friends my own age

[Anonymous]

Bollywood Karaoke enthusiasts. Truely. And the food is always great.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Miniaturists. I’m still best friends with a lady 20+ yrs later and she’s 30+ yrs older than me*. I’m also still friendly with several ladies from the same group.
*I also have friends my own age

What kind of hobby is this? You make miniatures? Of what?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Miniaturists. I’m still best friends with a lady 20+ yrs later and she’s 30+ yrs older than me*. I’m also still friendly with several ladies from the same group.
*I also have friends my own age

What kind of hobby is this? You make miniatures? Of what?

NP. Usually they make furniture, food, or other things to scale, often 1::12.

To top pp, I used to make miniatures one my own. Is there a local group, or a meetup?

[Anonymous]

Birders are very chill, unless you’re at the very top and going it professionally (yes, that’s a thing, there are book writers and bloggers and tour leaders). Many people like birding in groups because with the crowd-sourcing you’re more likely to see or hear birds, and get opinions on ids. They tend to be older, though, because really good binoculars and a scope can get expensive, plus travel if you really get into it.

[Anonymous]

Golfing

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Miniaturists. I’m still best friends with a lady 20+ yrs later and she’s 30+ yrs older than me*. I’m also still friendly with several ladies from the same group.
*I also have friends my own age

What kind of hobby is this? You make miniatures? Of what?

NP. Usually they make furniture, food, or other things to scale, often 1::12.

To top pp, I used to make miniatures one my own. Is there a local group, or a meetup?

PP is correct, we made miniature scenes, rooms, dollhouses by making all of the components by hand. There were also shows we would go to and buy minis. The group I was in disbanded mainly because the majority have aged and are 75yo+ now. There is N.A.M.E., National Association of Miniature Enthusiasts, on FB and they have a website. The FB page is pretty active and you don’t have to be a paying member to join it if your just looking for a local club.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Birders are very chill, unless you’re at the very top and going it professionally (yes, that’s a thing, there are book writers and bloggers and tour leaders). Many people like birding in groups because with the crowd-sourcing you’re more likely to see or hear birds, and get opinions on ids. They tend to be older, though, because really good binoculars and a scope can get expensive, plus travel if you really get into it.

I have friends into birding and the community seems pretty normal and nice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Triathletes.
Why excel at one thing when you can be mediocre at three?

I respectfully disagree. Well, I have no idea if the people I see at Wilson Aquatic Ctr. are interesting, or the guys cycling too fast in RCP within inches of geriatric walkers are inclusive — maybe they are? — but as a cohort, these weekend warriors are NOT nice. The ripped, middle-age+ women who swim midday are, uniformly, bitchy. I should know, I've been in the "FAST" lane(s) for years alongside them. The affluent dudes on $4,000+ bikes going waaay too fast for conditions, then yell at kids learning to ride bikes for the first time to MOVE RIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! on a multi-use trail on a Saturday at 2 pm? Not nice.

Plus they tend to be intense and self-satisfied, at all ages. Doesn't make you a d!@k, but wouldn't confuse these traits with "nicest".

— a D.C. former triathlete.

I have to agree. Runners are super nice. Triathletes? Boring.

[Anonymous]

I have found that most of the people I've played tennis with have been nice, and you wind up playing people from all over the world in the DC area.