How do you avoid talking about special interests?

Post Reply New Topic

I don't avoid it.

I adjust which interests I reveal to my audience (almost always of one)
I have enough mainstream generic interests to find common ground somewhere.
I only allude to my specialties if I suspect an interest.(Or someone bites on my advertising)

I have hardly any mainstream general interests at all, other than occasional commentary on things happening in the neighborhood. My interests have always been specialized and at least somewhat unusual.

So I don't try to make friends in my immediate neighborhood, where I aim only to be basically friendly via brief basic small talk.

Ever since my teens, I have always sought people who shared one or more of my interests and who could enjoy in-depth discussion of same. These are the only people whom I regard as potential friends.

Seconding this. I have friend groups where I strictly talk about history, others about writing, others about "general" topics - which I only chip in every now and then if I really have anything to say - and so on and so forth.

I mainly socialize online though, so take my words with a grain of salt.