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

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Thanks for sharing- I used to love making miniatures but all of my favorite shops have closed. Now my eyes are going but I have a budget for actual tools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Yeah, I think it’s pretty well known that triathletes are as a group a**holes.

[Anonymous]

Gardening and needlepoint

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

I hadn’t thought about it before but this has been my experience as well- all the triathletes i know are jerks actually.

Yeah, I think it’s pretty well known that triathletes are as a group a**holes.

[Anonymous]

Marching band

[Anonymous]

Watch out for the knitters. I know a gossipy and mean spirited knitter who likes to start dramas. She is in a knitting club, so it's not all sugar and sunshine. Of course she preys on nice people so maybe everyone else is nice.

I have always met nice people doing volunteer work.

[Anonymous]

Subah virus patients.

[Anonymous]

my spouse and I swap. We found this to be a hobby we both thoroughly enjoy.

[Anonymous]

Improv. I’m not joking!

[Anonymous]

Fencing!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Watch out for the knitters. I know a gossipy and mean spirited knitter who likes to start dramas. She is in a knitting club, so it's not all sugar and sunshine. Of course she preys on nice people so maybe everyone else is nice.

I have always met nice people doing volunteer work.

McLean?

[Anonymous]

I've joined lots of different communities, but the most inclusive has been CrossFit.

[Anonymous]

Church people are nice.

[Anonymous]

Swingers are very friendly.

[Anonymous]

Agree with runners. Every group or niche has its snobs, but I feel like all running groups I've step foot (hah) in have been supportive and encouraging to do what you can do, in your own lane, but still challenge yourself.

People are friendly and just generally really nice. I say this as someone who didn't start running until later in life.