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Woman Copies Boyfriend’s Every Hobby, Can’t Handle It When Friend Finally Calls Her Out For It
Woman Copies Boyfriend’s Every Hobby, Can’t Handle It When Friend Finally Calls Her Out For It

Woman Copies Boyfriend’s Every Hobby, Can’t Handle It When Friend Finally Calls Her Out For It

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Hobbies are like the little sprinkles on the cupcake of life – tiny, colorful, and completely unnecessary, but they somehow make everything way more fun. Whether it’s crocheting tiny sweaters for your cat, collecting vintage spoons, or mastering the ukulele, hobbies bring joy, creativity, and maybe a little fun to your daily routine. They’re also a great way to express yourself and discover new passions.

But what happens when your hobbies aren’t exactly yours? When they’re more of a “copy-paste” situation, inspired by someone else’s interests? Well, let’s just say things can get messy, especially when relationships are involved.

More info: Reddit

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    Copying someone else’s hobbies is like borrowing clothes—it looks cool at first but never quite fits the way you expect

    Couple laughing on the floor with pillows, illustrating shared hobbies and relationships.

    Image credits: Pavel Danilyuk / Pexels (not the actual photo)

    One woman always copies her boyfriend’s hobbies and interests and spends thousands on things she doesn’t use—her frustrated friend tells her to get her own hobbies

    Text about a woman who copies every hobby her boyfriends have.

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    Text describing a woman who copies her boyfriend's hobby of gaming, spending $2500 on equipment despite never playing before.

    Text describing a woman copying each boyfriend's hobbies, almost buying a pet cobra, advised to stop by a friend.

    A woman discussing hobbies at a dinner table with friends.

    Image credits: Julia M Cameron / Pexels (not the actual photo)

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    Text recounting advice given to a woman who copies her boyfriends' hobbies.

    Text from a woman discussing Reddit comments and reactions to hobbies and validation.

    A woman with glasses animatedly talks among friends, while a man in a red jacket stands behind, creating a lively scene.

    Image credits: Juan Cordero / Pexels (not the actual photo)

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    Text exchange about hobbies, mentioning a comment by @Durvillea, related to a woman's copying habits.

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    Text about jealousy and hobbies with a sarcastic tone.

    Text exchange about copying hobbies, expressing gratitude for attention through multiple channels.

    Image credits: soulfulginger8

    The poster’s friends say she is out of line for judging her friend and telling her to get her own hobbies

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    The OP (original poster) shared a story about her friend, who seemed to take the phrase “two become one” a little too literally when in a relationship. Every time her friend got a new boyfriend, she essentially downloaded his personality and hobbies like a software update.

    Dating a blackbelt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu? Time to roll into the gym. Crushing on a pastry chef? Suddenly, she’s all about baking croissants like she’s auditioning for The Great Bake Off or something. Interested in a guy with a snake collection? Why not consider buying a cobra? How are we casually glossing over buying a cobra, is beyond me.

    But the latest hit? Dropping $2,500 on a gaming setup when, prior to this, the OP’s friend wasn’t even dabbling in mobile games like Candy Crush. That’s when the OP decided enough was enough and told the friend, at dinner, no less, that maybe she should stop basing her identity on her boyfriend’s hobbies and, you know, find interests of her own. Ouch, that’s harsh. And their mutual friends seemed to think so, too.

    As you might imagine, the dinner got a little awkward after that. The OP’s friend looked visibly hurt, and later, another friend called out the OP for being unnecessarily harsh. But OP? She swore up and down that she wasn’t being cruel, just honest. Maybe a little too honest, if you ask me. She felt her friend needed a reality check on her dependent personality, stop being a chameleon and start being herself.

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    Some folks might describe the OP’s friend as just needy or clingy, but you see, there is such a thing as dependent personality disorder, not that I’m diagnosing anyone, don’t get me wrong – let’s leave that to the pros. While we don’t know much about the poster’s friend, besides, you know, the copycat thing, we do know that she’s molding her identity around her boyfriend, which could be a sign of DPD.

    Gaming setup with dual monitors, keyboard, and headphones; a perfect hobby space.

    Image credits: FOX ^.ᆽ.^= ∫ / Pexels (not the actual photo)

    The pros say that people with DPD struggle with an excessive need to be cared for, often leading to clinginess and difficulty making decisions without input from others, relying heavily on others to define one’s sense of self and direction in life. This behavior can lead to unhealthy relationships, where the person with DPD might adapt their likes, dislikes, or even hobbies to match their partner’s, like the OP’s friend.

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    However, this could also just be a pattern of seeking connection or a lack of self-awareness rather than a diagnosable condition. But hey, at least she didn’t end up with a pet cobra. That would have been a fun story.

    I get it; having hobbies is really important; they are not just time-fillers. They’re basically soul-boosters that give us a chance to step away from life for a sec. Whether it’s painting, gardening, or gaming, hobbies are little lifesavers.

    They make you more creative, help with stress and mental health, and keep you from scrolling TikTok for four hours straight. Plus, they can make you a much more interesting person to talk to at parties.

    So, was the OP a jerk?  Well, the internet, unsurprisingly, is divided. But what do you think? Was the poster out of line, or was her friend overdue for a wake-up call? And what’s the wildest hobby you’ve ever picked up because of a partner? Spill the tea in the comments!

    Netizens are divided on this one, some calling the poster a jerk for being too harsh on her friend, while others argue that she was right for telling the truth

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    Text exchange discussing a woman exploring hobbies from her boyfriends, with a friend advising her to stop.

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    Text discussing the risks of adopting hobbies based on significant others' interests.

    Reddit comment criticizing a friend for mocking someone trying to find a hobby.

    Comment about a woman spending excessively on hobbies shared with boyfriends, mentioning $2500 on video games.

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    Comment advising a woman to find her own hobbies and not just copy her significant others' interests.

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    Text comment discussing a woman who copies her boyfriend's hobbies, with advice to find her own interests.

    Comment referencing Ann Perkins and Leslie Knope suggesting snake juice.

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    Comment discussing a woman's pattern of adopting boyfriends' hobbies, potential cobra ownership, and advice to stop.

    Comment discussing a woman's tendency to adopt her partners' hobbies, sparking a friend's advice to change.

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    Reddit comment discussing woman's hobbies related to her relationships.

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    Monica Selvi

    Monica Selvi

    Writer, BoredPanda staff

    Read more »

    Hi! I'm Moni. I’m a globetrotting creative with a camera in one hand and a notebook in the other. I’ve lived in 4 different countries, an visited 17, soaking up inspiration wherever I go. A marketer by trade but a writer at heart, I’ve been crafting stories, poems, and songs, and creating quirky characters since I was 7.

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    Monica Selvi

    Monica Selvi

    Writer, BoredPanda staff

    Hi! I'm Moni. I’m a globetrotting creative with a camera in one hand and a notebook in the other. I’ve lived in 4 different countries, an visited 17, soaking up inspiration wherever I go. A marketer by trade but a writer at heart, I’ve been crafting stories, poems, and songs, and creating quirky characters since I was 7.

    What do you think ?
    V
    Community Member
    9 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yeah,.when I was younger I used to be friends with someone who would disappear of the social calendar for a few months, then we'd find out she has a new fiance that she wanted us to meet. She must have been engaged 4 times by the time we were 22. She made everything about the guy she was seeing, then a couple of months later they would split, we'd see her a few times before she would disappear to be with a new guy. Last time I talked to her she finally actually married and had a kid, but he's a MAGAt, and not even American. So now, or she was, all about anti immigration (her husband is an immigrant but still somehow anti it), anti public schooling, anti choice, anti public health care, anti anything really. So yeah, not friends with her anymore.

    Earonn -
    Community Member
    9 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Who is to call us out if we fail if not our friends? And not just showing interest in a new BF's hobby but to invest thousands in it is a fail.

    K Barnes
    Community Member
    9 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I agree. I am not perfect and when I make a mistake that I don't recognize on my own or am building a bad habit I appreciate my friends gently supporting me in being better! Even if it stings a bit. Some people cannot accept ANY criticism, though.

    Load More Replies...
    athornedrose
    Community Member
    9 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    depends on what the goal was. there was a way to bring this up that showed genuine concern for her spending habits, and you didn't take this road. you can say, it's nice to try out things your partner does to share hobbies, but test them out on a small scale before committing to them, and that shows your concern and opens a conversation without accusing her of anything. your mutual friend is right that you chose the tone that could hurt your friend instead of actually expressing concern. truth isn't useful if it's conveyed in a way that bludgeons rather than assists.

    Load More Comments
    V
    Community Member
    9 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yeah,.when I was younger I used to be friends with someone who would disappear of the social calendar for a few months, then we'd find out she has a new fiance that she wanted us to meet. She must have been engaged 4 times by the time we were 22. She made everything about the guy she was seeing, then a couple of months later they would split, we'd see her a few times before she would disappear to be with a new guy. Last time I talked to her she finally actually married and had a kid, but he's a MAGAt, and not even American. So now, or she was, all about anti immigration (her husband is an immigrant but still somehow anti it), anti public schooling, anti choice, anti public health care, anti anything really. So yeah, not friends with her anymore.

    Earonn -
    Community Member
    9 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Who is to call us out if we fail if not our friends? And not just showing interest in a new BF's hobby but to invest thousands in it is a fail.

    K Barnes
    Community Member
    9 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I agree. I am not perfect and when I make a mistake that I don't recognize on my own or am building a bad habit I appreciate my friends gently supporting me in being better! Even if it stings a bit. Some people cannot accept ANY criticism, though.

    Load More Replies...
    athornedrose
    Community Member
    9 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    depends on what the goal was. there was a way to bring this up that showed genuine concern for her spending habits, and you didn't take this road. you can say, it's nice to try out things your partner does to share hobbies, but test them out on a small scale before committing to them, and that shows your concern and opens a conversation without accusing her of anything. your mutual friend is right that you chose the tone that could hurt your friend instead of actually expressing concern. truth isn't useful if it's conveyed in a way that bludgeons rather than assists.

    Load More Comments
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