Lads who are not interested in sport

karaokeman

I don't know if its just within the groups of people I've talked to, but it appears to me some view a lack of interest in sport to be unusual for males.

I'm not sure if girls find it attractive if a guy plays on a team, is a marathon runner, or discusses football with his friends when drinking at a pub, but there is a certain amount of masculinity attached to it.

I appreciate that sports are good for keeping fit, and give some people a topic to talk about, but its never been my thing, and I am speaking from a male perspective.

Personally I've never really been that big into sports, I played athletics for a while in primary school, did P.E in primary and secondary, did a fair bit of swimming too, but I was never part of a competitive team, I would play soccer and basketball with friends just for the craic but that was it. I still do my bit to keep fit, I try to walk for at very least an hour every day, I'd never follow any sports, I'm more into sitcoms, anime, music that kind of thing and most of my friends prefer these outlets, which is cool too.

It may be because supporting a team (like Ireland) shows your loyal to your homeland, and because contact sports are associated with strength, but I don't see what there is to like beyond that.

MagicMarker

You should probably be more concerned about what girls will think about when they find out you're a fan of Miley Cyrus.

hardCopy

karaokeman wrote: »

I don't know if its just within the groups of people I've talked to, but it appears to me some view a lack of interest in sport to be unusual for males.

I'm not sure if girls find it attractive if a guy plays on a team, is a marathon runner, or discusses football with his friends when drinking at a pub, but there is a certain amount of masculinity attached to it.

I appreciate that sports are good for keeping fit, and give some people a topic to talk about, but its never been my thing, and I am speaking from a male perspective.

Personally I've never really been that big into sports, I played athletics for a while in primary school, did P.E in primary and secondary, did a fair bit of swimming too, but I was never part of a competitive team, I would play soccer and basketball with friends just for the craic but that was it. I still do my bit to keep fit, I try to walk for at very least an hour every day, I'd never follow any sports, I'm more into sitcoms, anime, music that kind of thing and most of my friends prefer these outlets, which is cool too.

It may be because supporting a team (like Ireland) shows your loyal to your homeland, and because contact sports are associated with strength, but I don't see what there is to like beyond that.

I'm interested in most sports except football. Most groups of lads fall back on football for small talk. Not knowing who Chelsea just signed or who West Ham's new manager is can make it hard to join the conversation with a new bunch of lads.

dave3004

karaokeman wrote: »

I don't know if its just within the groups of people I've talked to, but it appears to me some view a lack of interest in sport to be unusual for males.

I'm not sure if girls find it attractive if a guy plays on a team, is a marathon runner, or discusses football with his friends when drinking at a pub, but there is a certain amount of masculinity attached to it.

I appreciate that sports are good for keeping fit, and give some people a topic to talk about, but its never been my thing, and I am speaking from a male perspective.

Personally I've never really been that big into sports, I played athletics for a while in primary school, did P.E in primary and secondary, did a fair bit of swimming too, but I was never part of a competitive team, I would play soccer and basketball with friends just for the craic but that was it. I still do my bit to keep fit, I try to walk for at very least an hour every day, I'd never follow any sports, I'm more into sitcoms, anime, music that kind of thing and most of my friends prefer these outlets, which is cool too.

It may be because supporting a team (like Ireland) shows your loyal to your homeland, and because contact sports are associated with strength, but I don't see what there is to like beyond that.

karaokeman

MagicMarker wrote: »

You should probably be more concerned about what girls will think about when they find out you're a fan of Miley Cyrus.

Irrelevant to the conversation, this is not a PI, I'm looking for a discussion from male and female perspectives on how lads uninterested in sports are viewed by society, in small groups, or even one person.

As I said I have a stable group of friends, whom many aren't sport fanatics, and the few who are respect that its not my thing.

Jimmy Bottlehead

The only sport I tend to follow is MMA which I also train and take part in. I've no idea of soccer or GAA outside big headline stories, but I don't find it makes a difference. I've enough other stuff to talk about with new people.

ahnowbrowncow

I enjoy playing sports rather than watching them, I play football a lot but I'd rarely watch a full 90 minutes of it on tv.

And it's not because its associated with strength. It's because I enjoy the competition, training and improving my fitness and skill and that great feeling of knowing you played well and your team winning.
Plus you're meeting like minded people and there is the added bonus that you'll be fitter and healthier, more confident in your appearance and look more appealing to the opposite sex.

I play video games and watch tv too but they don't really compare to physical competition IMO. I'd encourage people who don't play sports to try running, going to the gym or trying some sport because there's so many benefits from physical exercise.

But each to their own, I have friends who play and don't play sports so i don't judge either groups.

Rebel_Kn1ght

Played most sports growing up, football, rugby and GAA along with some handball and racquetball too. Always thought it very strange when a friend had no interest in sport but as I grew up and my social circle widened I realized it's not that strange or uncommon at all

helimachoptor

ahnowbrowncow wrote: »

I enjoy playing sports rather than watching them, I play football a lot but I'd rarely watch a full 90 minutes of it on tv.

And it's not because its associated with strength. It's because I enjoy the competition, training and improving my fitness and skill and that great feeling of knowing you played well and your team winning.
Plus you're meeting like minded people and there is the added bonus that you'll be fitter and healthier, more confident in your appearance and look more appealing to the opposite sex.

I play video games and watch tv too but they don't really compare to physical competition IMO. I'd encourage people who don't play sports to try running, going to the gym or trying some sport because there's so many benefits from physical exercise.

But each to their own, I have friends who play and don't play sports so i don't judge either groups.

+1, a good mate of mine plays lawn bowls :eek: however he's know more about the comings and goings in football.


I prefer to play

LeeHoffmann

My OH has no serious interest in sport either. He keeps fit and watches national soccer games and follows rugby (more because I do than from his own volition I think :pac:). As a woman, I don´t find it strange/unattractive at all. It´s actually a blessing as I don´t have to listen to endless waffle about the english premiership or amuse myself while he watches ´the match´. Sometimes he finds it harder to make small talk with some men though.
I don´t see sports as being a masculine thing.

awec

This post has been deleted.

ahnowbrowncow

helimachoptor wrote: »

a good mate of mine plays lawn bowls :eek:

Mother of god :eek:

And you're still friends with him? :pac::pac:

helimachoptor

ahnowbrowncow wrote: »

Mother of god :eek:

And you're still friends with him? :pac::pac:

Yes, he got me to try it once, far to slow paced for me tbh

somefeen

Where I work, there are five of us all male, only one has any interest in sport and we're all not exactly wilting violets either.
I don't think its unusualy, I thought I was odd when I was growing up since I didn't have much interest in Soccer, GAA etc but I've realised its actually not that unusual.
We all like cars though and I'd actually say a man with no interest in cars whatsoever is rarer than one with no interest in sport, but still not that unusual.
But if you have no interest in either cars, sport or music then I'd say you are odd.

MaxSteele

I've never met or heard of anyone who views this type of men as unmanly, unattractive or strange.

I was a football fanatic up til about 14/15. Then I completely lost interest.
The only sport I'm into is really just boxing or going to the gym.

tinyk68

LeeHoffmann wrote: »

My OH has no serious interest in sport either. He keeps fit and watches national soccer games and follows rugby (more because I do than from his own volition I think :pac:). As a woman, I don´t find it strange/unattractive at all. It´s actually a blessing as I don´t have to listen to endless waffle about the english premiership or amuse myself while he watches ´the match´. Sometimes he finds it harder to make small talk with some men though.
I don´t see sports as being a masculine thing.

+1 on that.
My OH was a guitarist in a band when I met him. That appealed to me far more than a sports nut. I'd much rather listen to him play guitar and talk about music than stand freezing on the sideline at a match and listen to team strategy talk.

Larianne

awec wrote: »

Personally I'd say someone having no interest in any sport is rare. I would say most men have some level of interest in something.

My two brothers wouldn't have much interest in watching or playing sport, probably because my Dad has zero interest in it. My mother would watch GAA before my Dad would. She also still plays tennis and she's in her 60's. My Dad has other interests though - gardening and movies - being an extra in his spare time. He's defo still a manly man. No idea why he's not into sport. Boyfriends find it hard to find topics of conversation though.

MagicMarker

I don't think my brother has ever watched a sporting event, I've never thought twice about it.

confusticated

Larianne wrote: »

My two brothers wouldn't have much interest in watching or playing sport, probably because my Dad has zero interest in it. My mother would watch GAA before my Dad would. She also still plays tennis and she's in her 60's. My Dad has other interests though - gardening and movies - being an extra in his spare time. He's defo still a manly man. No idea why he's not into sport. Boyfriends find it hard to find topics of conversation though.

I've the opposite situation, Dad would watch all matches bar soccer but my boyfriend has zero interest in sport, absolutely none at all. Not into cars either actually, but I think it's great because I don't have to nod and smile and pretend to know/care about the premiership etc...

thehomeofDob

No interest in sports whatsoever. I'd play a game of football with the lads for the craic but that's about the extent of it. On the other hand, I love the outdoors. Hillwalking and camping are what you'll find me at most of my free weekends. I think being able to survive comfortably outside is far manlier than chatting about the premier league!

endacl

As an aside, does anybody else find it a bit odd, having expressed no interest in the national football team, to be met with the old 'but you have to support Ireland. Why? You just do'?

From somebody who looks at you like you've two heads when you ask them about the recent performance of the national hockey team. Or even the ladies football team....

jaffacakesyum

Female perspective here, and I wouldn't care if a guy had no interest in sport, although it is unusual. I know a few men who have no interest in, for example, football, but they would have interest in at least one other sport.

endacl wrote: »

As an aside, does anybody else find it a bit odd, having expressed no interest in the national football team, to be met with the old 'but you have to support Ireland. Why? You just do'?

From somebody who looks at you like you've two heads when you ask them about the recent performance of the national hockey team. Or even the ladies football team....

Why wouldn't you support your national team in any sport, be it the mens football, ladies football or hockey team?

I've little interest in hockey and wouldn't follow it, but if the Irish team did well in the Olympics in hockey, I'd be proud and would support them.

endacl

jaffacakesyum wrote: »

Female perspective here, and I wouldn't care if a guy had no interest in sport, although it is unusual. I know a few men who have no interest in, for example, football, but they would have interest in at least one other sport.



Why wouldn't you support your national team in any sport, be it the mens football, ladies football or hockey team?

I've little interest in hockey and wouldn't follow it, but if the Irish team did well in the Olympics in hockey, I'd be proud and would support them.

Same here, more or less. It was a comment more on the presumed importance of football, based on nothing more that popularity. I must admit though, to having more regard for the achievements of say, a katie Taylor, than I ever would for a team if overpaid professionals who don't even seem to be interested in playing when wearing green.

Scuba Ste

It would be unusual in that's not the norm but whenever I meet lads that don't like sports it makes no difference to me.

I've played a lot of sports for most of my life and always been into football but I actually don't like spending a lot of time talking about it. It's grand for a bit of small talk or banter but that's about it.

Some of the most boring people I know are those that can only relate to others through sport.

MaroonAndGreen

I dont know any lads who have ZERO interest in sport.

Have to add that its very beneficial to play sport, you widen your social circles, make new friends and keep fit!

Mr. CooL ICE

I love playing sports, but get bored watching most of them.

I run and go to the gym to keep fit, as well as playing astro football twice a week (when I'm not injured). I kinda tune into the football world at key points, such as euros, world cup and premiership season closing, but that's more to do with being surrounded by people who watch football the whole year around and it being hard to avoid.

I always found that keeping a conversation going when meeting new males tough, i.e. starting a new job, meeting girlfriend's friends, relatives, etc difficult because the topic of "did you see the match at xxx", which I politely respond no to and try moving onto something else. When people realise I'm from co Cork, they usually pass a comment like "jayz, ye did well at the weekend there". Did we? Thanks for telling me

I actively follow MMA though, which most of my friends don't. Maybe I just have bloodlust

Pherekydes

I love watching sport, but not the usual suspects like Soccer, Golf, Rugby and Gambling (aka Horse racing). My sports are athletics, American football and cycling. It can make for awkward conversations on occasions. My wife feels lucky (sometimes). Many of her friends are golf or soccer 'widows'. I suppose we're an unusual couple. She doesn't care for soaps or reality TV.

iptba

somefeen wrote: »

But if you have no interest in either cars, sport or music then I'd say you are odd.

I'd agree that most young (heterosexual) men probably fit into at least one of those sets, although I don't like to class people as odd.
I noticed before that quite a lot of people in bands weren't too into sport - but it might simply have been a time thing growing up, as schools in Ireland I think tend to give a reasonable amount of homework so you can't do everything.

krudler

I've no interest in most sports, I'd generally like NFL, ice hockey, mma but not in any fan capacity, most casual viewer/no affiliation with any particular team etc. dont watch GAA at all, have zero interest in soccer, like none, I literally couldnt name two people who play for Man Utd or Liverpool, ditto GAA. Rugby is ok I dont dislike but wouldnt watch a full game unless it was on and the housemate was watching it as well.

CastorTroy

I don't follow sports, but I do find it strange that if you can name actors in a movie or other movies they've been in, you'd be considered a movie geek but if you can name evey team a football player has played for or how many goals he's scored you're a fan.

Thing is I don't have an interest in sport or drinking so I've little in common with the majority of people.

username123

My husband has no interest in sport, any sport. He does run, cycle, swim, go to the gym etc... but he has no interest in watching any sports or participating in any team sports.

If I look back over past boyfriends, Ive never once dated someone with any level of interest in sport. Obviously that says more about me, its totally below my radar, I wouldnt recognise major sports people in tv advertisements for example. It just something that happens in the world that I am mostly unaware of, and Ive always dated people with a similar lack of interest.

Its interesting that people here say they would think a man with zero interest in sport is rare, it doesnt seem rare to me at all.

awec

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username123

awec wrote: »

Running, cycling, swimming are all sports.

Clearly he has an interest in sport if he participates in at least 3 sporting activities surely.

Well, I suppose, he has an interest in staying fit. But he would never do any of the above in a group or competitively. He isnt interested in the sense that he would never talk about it or watch people doing it. Its just a means to an end.

I would have thought sporting activities involved some kind of competition factor? As opposed to just keeping fit activities? Maybe Im wrong.

I've absolutely no interest in sports if any kind. Never really been an issue once I left secondary school, back then I was looked on as being odd because I didn't follow the premiership but once you grow up few people care if you like sports or not. Sure being a fan of sports can make conversation easier and it can make meeting new people a hell of a lot easier but if it's the only thing you have to talk about with friends then your friendship won't last.

awec

This post has been deleted.

Galwayguy35

I wouldn't have a huge interest in soccer apart from watching Ireland playing.

I have lost count of the number of times lads have told me they can't understand how I have little interest in soccer.

I would be a big hurling fan though and would go to most of the matches where Galway are playing and would be at every match where the local club are playing.

I also have a keen interest in watching MMA.

JustAThought

Fourth reference ; MMA!?

Galwayguy35

JustAThought wrote: »

Fourth reference ; MMA!?

What about it?

iDave

hard to trust a man not interested in sport

krudler

iDave wrote: »

hard to trust a man not interested in sport

seriously?

Blisterman

I think having an obsessive interest in things is generally more of a male characteristic.

But I do find it odd that some interests are considered by people to be acceptable, while others are considered nerdy, sad, unmanly etc.

ie
Interest in contemporary art - fine. Interest in Anime - nerdy
Interest in cars - fine. Interest in trains - nerdy
Interest in crime thrillers - fine. Interest in Sci Fi -nerdy
Interest in sport - manly. Interest in dance - girly.

ahnowbrowncow

Blisterman wrote: »

I think having an obsessive interest in things is generally more of a male characteristic.

I disagree, women can just be obsessive with other things like fashion and celebrities etc.

RDM_83 again

Blisterman wrote: »

I think having an obsessive interest in things is generally more of a male characteristic.

But I do find it odd that some interests are considered by people to be acceptable, while others are considered nerdy, sad, unmanly etc.

ie
Interest in contemporary art - fine. Interest in Anime - nerdy
Interest in cars - fine. Interest in trains - nerdy
Interest in crime thrillers - fine. Interest in Sci Fi -nerdy
Interest in sport - manly. Interest in dance - girly.

http://www.theonion.com/articles/walking-sports-database-scorns-walking-scifi-datab,1442/

As a non-sports fan I've found a lot of the time if somebody wants to talk to you about sports they're going to keep talking to you about it anyway even if you don;t have a clue :rolleyes:

BrianD3

The only sports I have ever had any success at are golf and swimming. I also do a lot of strength training but have never gotten around to competing.

Anytime I attempted to play GAA, soccer or rugby I was crap at them but up to my early/mid twenties still took a big interest in them as a fan.

My fan interest in soccer has waned a lot as I've gotten older and more cynical. I now spend my time living my own life and working on my own fitness etc. rather than spending time watching soccer matches and living vicariously through sports stars.

When I started following soccer, top flight English clubs were not owned by multi billionaires and the average player earned 4 or 5 times the wage of the average worker. Now, the average top flight player earns 35+ times the wage of the average worker.

However, no matter how cynical I get and no matter how ridiculous the money gets I think I will always have some interest in watching pro golf and also F1 and other motor racing.

somefeen

Blisterman wrote: »

I think having an obsessive interest in things is generally more of a male characteristic.

But I do find it odd that some interests are considered by people to be acceptable, while others are considered nerdy, sad, unmanly etc.

ie
Interest in contemporary art - fine. Interest in Anime - nerdy
Interest in cars - fine. Interest in trains - nerdy
Interest in crime thrillers - fine. Interest in Sci Fi -nerdy
Interest in sport - manly. Interest in dance - girly.

I just realised I must be very odd.
I'm a young straight man with no interest in sports, I like cars but don't follow motorsport beyond watching (not a clue who's driving what)
I am interested in trains, music, dance, musicals, cooking, cars.
There's not many people who would have the phantom of the opera soundtrack playing in the background while changing a timing belt.:pac:

juan.kerr

iDave wrote: »

hard to trust a man not interested in sport

:rolleyes: And non drinkers too, I suppose?

jaffacakesyum

somefeen wrote: »

There's not many people who would have the phantom of the opera soundtrack playing in the background while changing a timing belt.:pac:

I can do one better. I once listened to the Phantom of the Opera soundtrack while in the gym!!!

What...it's a good soundtrack...:P

endacl

jaffacakesyum wrote: »

I can do one better. I once listened to the Phantom of the Opera soundtrack while in the gym!!!

What...it's a good soundtrack...:P

The Iron Maiden phantom? Well, if it was good enough for Daley Thompson and Lucozade...

sharper

I enjoy getting exercise but watching almost all sports is boring and tedious to me. Sport as a cultural phenomon does interest me, I can understand why people play sports but the popularity of watching it is a bit more curious.

I find it's very very unusual to encounter people not interested in watching sports. Of the population of those not interested a healthy chunk appear to watch just to fit in/have something to talk to people about. Not following sports does make interacting with people hard so I can hardly blame them.

1ZRed

I think there's a sport out there for everyone. If you're not into football, hurling or soccer there are other sports you could throw a shot at like kayaking, swimming, running, and on and on.

The thing that annoys me is the lack of variety of sports here and there's a big chunk of people that don't like the typical GAA sports that are in school, and if they don't like that there's feck all else for them. In comparison, America is brilliant for all these diverse sports like track, hockey, swimming and all that. Here, we have SFA of variety or many options.

I like my hurling and rugby but always wanted to be an athlete and a sprinter/runner. Thing is though, there's not much of an emphasis on that sort of training, and where I was, there wasn't at all, so that's annoying when I had some promise that was recognised but I couldn't really utilise it.

I just think that if more options were given to children and teenagers in school that weren't into the sports offered that that would do a lot of good for people's health and enjoyment.
Though I understand that it would probably never be very realistic or feasible to expect what they have over in America here, but it would be nice and could give people like the OP, who aren't into sport, a better chance of sparking some interest in it.

I have no interest whatsoever in competitive sport either. Playing or watching. I do give in and host parties in my house for "big" games in Rugby and football. Real crunch matches in the premiership for example, international games with Ireland in them, or the like. But generally I have lost interest in watching - especially with the culture of diving, invective, racial abuse on and off the pitch and more that is ruining the game.

I do capoeira and B-JJ but I do it rating myself against my own standards. I do not compete against others - though competitiion exists in both.

I try to better myself each day and I judge myself against my own standards from yesterday. I have no interest in judging my standards against that of others. So I play no competitive sports or enter into competition.

As to whether any of this makes me more or less "masculine" in the eyes of others - I am hard pushed to find much I care about less than the opinions of others on whether or not I am masculine or not.