A recent study from the University of Essex in the United Kingdom looked at the characteristics of boring people. Scientists analyzed jobs, hobbies and behaviors to create a composite portrait of the most boring person.
The criteria of a boring person
The study published in the journal Personality and Social Psychology highlighted several criteria for determining whether a person is boring or not. Among them, we find the following:
- A lack of variety in conversation topics: a boring person will tend to always address the same themes, without bringing anything new.
- Monotonous language: the lack of intonation and dynamism in the voice makes a conversation much less interesting.
- A passive attitude: boring people are often not very expressive, both verbally and non-verbally (mimicry, gestures, etc.).
- A lack of listening: not paying attention to what the other person is saying can make a conversation very boring.
- Conversation topics focused on yourself: constantly talking about your own life or your interests can quickly tire the other person.
Additionally, researchers also found that certain professions were associated with people being rated as more boring. Among these, we find in particular accountants, cashiers and even civil servants.
The consequences of boredom in society
The impact on social relations
Boredom has harmful consequences on our relationships with others. According to the Essex study, being boring can be socially isolating and cause frustration in others. Indeed, it is difficult to form a strong bond with someone you consider boring, because it usually requires extra and unrewarding effort to keep the conversation interesting.
Difficulty finding work
Being perceived as boring during a job interview or in your professional environment can also have negative impacts on your career. Indeed, an employer will often seek to recruit someone who will energize the team and bring energy to the work environment.
How to avoid being boring?
To avoid being one of the people considered boring, here are some tips:
- Vary the topics of conversation: try to bring novelty into your discussions and address varied themes.
- Have dynamic language: adopting a lively and expressive intonation will make your words more captivating.
- Open up to others: show interest in the experiences and interests of your interlocutor rather than only talking about yourself.
- Practice active listening: pay attention to what others are saying and ask relevant questions to show your engagement in the conversation.
This study reminds us of the importance of knowing how to captivate those around us during social interactions. So, being aware of the things that make a person boring can help us avoid this behavior and improve our relationships with others.
I was an intern at the editorial office. When I saw their ad for a freelancer, I decided to come back. I’m a fan of series and movies, I spend my weekends at the cinema and my nights in front of Netflix