The 15 Most (And Least) Attractive Hobbies for Men to Have

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Is your pastime the key to getting more dates and matches?
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What makes a man’s hobby “attractive” is subjective, but as it turns out, there’s a little bit of data on the subject. A survey by Date Psychology polled 800 women and asked them to evaluate 74 different men’s hobbies and how attractive they are. We’re here to break down the top 15 results and what makes them so appealing, plus share the bottom 15 hobbies you may not want to highlight in your dating profiles. Keep scrolling to see if your favorite pastime made the list!

Top 5 Attractive Hobbies for Men

  1. Reading
  2. Foreign languages
  3. Playing a musical instrument
  4. Cooking or baking
  5. Woodworking
Section 1 of 4:

The 15 Most Attractive Hobbies for Men

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  1. Who knew picking up a book would be so alluring? According to the Date Psychology survey, a whopping 98.2% of respondents said reading was an attractive hobby for a man. [1] So, don’t be afraid to crack open a novel on the subway or pose in front of your bookcase for a Tinder photo —it could be what gets you noticed!
    • Why it’s attractive: Reading shows you’re curious about the world and are intellectually curious. Saying you’re a reader also lets people know you’re well-rounded, especially if you read a lot of different genres. [2]
  2. 2
    Foreign languages Parlez-vous français? Coming in at a close second place is learning or speaking foreign languages , with 95.6% of survey respondents saying that knowing a different tongue (pun intended) is super attractive. Who knew that high school Spanish would come in handy one day? [3]
    • Why it’s attractive: Like reading, learning or speaking a foreign language shows that you’re worldly, intellectual, and creative. Plus, it’s just plain handy for travel and communicating abroad.
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  3. 3
    Playing an instrument Musicians, you’re in luck! It turns out that knowing a musical instrument is pretty jazzy when it comes to dating and attraction (according to 95.4% of respondents, at least). [4] So, let it be known on dates and apps if you’re in a jam band, play a classical instrument, or just occasionally hammer out a tune whenever you see a lobby piano. It could be music to your next match’s ears.
    • Why it’s attractive: Performing music takes both technical skill and the confidence to command an audience. Plus, it’s a skill that not everyone gets the chance to learn and reveals your creative, intellectual side. [5]
  4. 4
    Cooking We just knew this one would be high up on the list. A whopping 95.1% of survey takers said cooking is an appealing hobby for a man to have, making it one of the most universally attractive skills to have. [6] We recommend bringing up your latest baking confection or homemade alfredo sauce recipe when you meet a new gal to make her hungry for a second date.
    • Why it’s attractive: Cooking is both a practical and creative skill, and a man who enjoys cooking probably doesn’t care much for outdated gender roles that say his girlfriend or wife has to make every meal. Plus, everybody’s gotta eat! [7]
  5. 5
    Woodworking Ah, the first “manly” hobby on the list. Woodworking includes everything from whittling and carving to furniture building to carpentry, and you could say it’s something of a lost art. How many people do you know who can casually whip out a coffee table or bookshelf they made by hand? Apparently, 94.4% of survey takers are looking to meet someone who can! [8]
    • Why it’s attractive: Woodworking blends practicality and creativity and makes you seem self-reliant. Plus, it’s a skill that takes time and effort to master, showing your dedication to the things you love.
  6. 6
    Painting It might be time to pick up a brush! 94.1% of women surveyed said painting was an attractive hobby for a man to dabble in. [9] You could extend this to any artistic hobby you have, though—sketching, sculpting, pottery, or even just frequenting art galleries in your area are sure to make a great impression.
    • Why it’s attractive: Painting (or an interest in art in general) reveals your creative, intellectual, and sensitive side. And who could resist a custom work of art made specially for them by their man?
  7. 7
    Writing Another creative pursuit comes in at number 7, with 93.8% of surveyed women saying writing is a hot skill for a man to have. [10] Poems, short stories, or editorial projects (like personal blogs or article writing) all count for this category, so if you’ve ever gotten the urge to put pen to paper and express yourself, now is the time to get started!
    • Why it’s attractive: Creativity aside, writing shows your ability to organize and share your thoughts in a personal way (and we all know that good communication is key to lasting relationships). It also makes you seem very intelligent and intellectual.
  8. 8
    Gardening Calling all green thumbs! Gardening is tied with writing for 7th place, with 93.8% of survey takers also saying that tending the soil and growing your own food or flowers is mighty appealing. [11] Whether you do it for aesthetics, fresh produce, or you just plain like it, don’t be afraid to talk about your time spent crawling around in the dirt on your next date. It may take you farther than you think!
    • Why it’s attractive: Gardening is a practical and creative skill that shows you’re not afraid to get dirty in order to make something beautiful or useful. It’s also a sign that you care about the environment and the Earth!
  9. 9
    Swimming Pool date, anyone? Swimming is the highest-ranking athletic hobby on the list, with a 92.8% approval rating from the ladies. [12] Competitive swimming or doing laps for fitness both count here. Plus, who doesn’t secretly love someone who can showboat a little bit at the pool?
    • Why it’s attractive: Swimming is a practical (and potentially life-saving) skill that takes dedication to learn competitively. It also highlights your athletic prowess and fitness. One study even found that including a sport in your Tinder bio doubled your chances of getting a match! [13]
  10. 10
    Photography Are you good behind the lens? According to the survey, 90.5% of women think snapping great photos is great quality to have! [14] Don’t be afraid to share your photography Insta and speak on your favorite photo subject, whether its landscapes, portraits, or snapshots of city living. Your passion for it just might lead to another date.
    • Why it’s attractive: Photography signals creativity, observational skills, and an appreciation for beauty (sometimes in surprising places). It’s also a practical skill that preserves important memories. Plus, it doesn’t hurt to have a partner who knows how to capture your good side.
  11. 11
    Astronomy Who knew that pointing out the Big Dipper would make you a heartthrob? Astronomy is the study of celestial bodies other than Earth—the stars, moons, and galaxies we see at night—and how they move and change in the sky. A surprising 90.5% of women found this niche interest attractive in a man, so the next time you’re inclined to pull out your telescope and stargaze, invite your special lady for a romantic (and out-of-this-world) view. [15]
    • Why it’s attractive: Astronomers connect with nature and the universe on a deep level, showing their intellect, curiosity, and observational skills. It’s also just plain fascinating and awe-inspiring!
  12. 12
    Hiking Grab your backpack! When it comes to taking a stroll through nature, 90% of surveyed women said hiking was an attractive thing for a guy to do. [16] It’s a blend of adventure, fitness, and the great outdoors—what’s not to love about it?
    • Why it’s attractive: Hiking shows you’re comfortable in the great outdoors, respect nature, and know how to handle yourself in the wilderness (especially if you’re big into camping or long, multi-day hikes). Plus, it’s a great activity that partners can enjoy together.
  13. 13
    Archery Ready, aim, fire! It turns out that if you can string a bow and arrow like Cupid, you might just land yourself a romantic match. In the survey, 89.5% of women said archery was a hot hobby. [17] Maybe it’s the cool old-fashioned nature of the sport, or maybe it’s the emphasis on those big forearms—either way, this is your sign to shoot your shot!
    • Why it’s attractive: Archery is a super specific, niche athletic skill that times time, effort, and dedication to master. It also shows your ability to focus and compete against yourself.
  14. 14
    Blacksmithing This might be the true wildcard hobby on our list. According to 88.2% of survey takers, blacksmithing—the heating and shaping of metal—is just as hot as the forge itself. [18] If you’re one of the few guys who still dabbles in this pre-industrial revolution craft, you’re in luck—you might just be able to hammer and anvil yourself into a new relationship!
    • Why it’s attractive: It’s a super rare, challenging, and creative hobby that not many people partake in. It’s also one of those stereotypically “manly” hobbies that involves a bit of potential danger, revealing your more daring side.
  15. 15
    Travel Unsurprisingly, globetrekking is one of the most attractive hobbies for men, with 87.9% of surveyed women saying a guy with wanderlust is alluring. [19] What’s not to love about seeing new places, meeting new people, and experiencing new sights and cultures? Our pro tip: Highlight those vacation photos is your dating app profile!
    • Why it’s attractive: Traveling suggests independence, curiosity, and a sense of adventure. It also takes careful planning and adaptability—all good traits to look for in a partner.
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Section 2 of 4:

The 15 Least Attractive Hobbies for Men

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  1. Not all hobbies are as universally enjoyed as reading, cooking, or traveling. We’re not saying the following hobbies are bad—that’s totally subjective, and there are plenty of people out there who enjoy them—but some may be a bit more of an acquired taste (at least, to the women who were surveyed). Here are the 15 least attractive hobbies for men: [20]
    • Comic books (found attractive by 33.6% of women)
    • Cosplay (found attractive by 32.1% of women)
    • Debating (found attractive by 30.5% of women)
    • Drinking (found attractive by 29.0% of women)
    • Magic: The Gathering (found attractive by 28.5% of women)
    • Anime (found attractive by 27.4% of women)
    • Makeup (found attractive by 24.4% of women)
    • Crypto (found attractive by 23.1% of women)
    • Cigars (found attractive by 22.3% of women)
    • Clubbing (found attractive by 20.0% of women)
    • Marijuana (found attractive by 15.9% of women)
    • Funko (found attractive by 12.3% of women)
    • Arguing online (found attractive by 12.3% of women)
    • Porn (found attractive by 10.8% of women)
    • Gambling (found attractive by 6.4% of women)
    • The manosphere (found attractive by 3.1% of women)
Section 3 of 4:

What do the results reveal?

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  1. 1
    The most attractive hobbies show skills that extend beyond the ordinary. Whether it’s a creative, intellectual, or athletic pursuit, the most attractive hobbies are ones that reveal a deeper interest in a topic or activity (and the passion to become very knowledgeable about it). For example, creative and artistic pursuits like playing instruments, writing, and painting all ranked very high, as did niche interests like astronomy or blacksmithing.
    • Even the athletic skills that ranked in the top 15 hobbies, like swimming and archery, are more specialized than traditional “masculine” sports like football or MMA. [21]
  2. 2
    The least attractive hobbies are related to vices or “antisocial” behavior. Perhaps unsurprisingly, “bad habit” hobbies like drinking, weed, gambling, and porn didn’t fare very well among the women in the survey. Neither did divisive activities like arguing with people online or engaging in the “manosphere.” These hobbies aren’t super conducive to deeper learning or self-improvement, and are harder for potential partners to relate to.
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Section 4 of 4:

Final Thoughts

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  1. You might be tempted to pick up one of the top hobbies on our list in order to snag some more dates or matches. If you’re genuinely interested in it, then go for it! However, it’s not the best idea to start a hobby you don’t enjoy just to catch a woman’s eye. A calculated attempt to be attractive can work for getting some initial attention, but when it comes to long term compatibility, having different interests can make it harder to form a lasting connection. [22]
    • But, if you follow your true passions—no matter how niche or obscure they are—the matches you do find will be more satisfying. Authenticity always wins!
  2. 2
    You’ll be more compatible if you share hobbies with your partner. Big differences in interests can potentially cause serious relationship problems down the road, even if you’re compatible at the start. You don’t have to both be archers or photographers and do every activity together to last (it’s totally fine to do your own thing now and then), but a mutual respect and toleration of each other’s interests and hobbies supports a healthy relationship. [23]
    • On the other hand, if you can’t stand your partner’s passion for cooking and they get annoyed with your love of frequent travel, chances are your differences will become a source of conflict.
    • Ultimately, it doesn’t matter how “attractive” your hobby is as long as your partner respects and supports it.
  3. 3
    Remember that these results are just from one survey. The results give some general insights about what kinds of hobbies may be attractive to women, but the findings are not universal law. For example, 45% of the respondents held advanced degrees and the majority of them were white, meaning the results could be skewed toward hobbies that are “high status” in that cultural context, but not in others. [24] So, if your favorite hobby is super high or low on the list, take it with a grain of salt.
    • Plus, every woman is unique and has her own idea of what’s attractive or not in a man. Blanket rules don’t always work out in the dating world, so just be yourself and share what you genuinely enjoy with potential partners!
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      References

      1. ↑ https://iol.co.za/lifestyle/love-sex/relationships/2024-09-10-the-most-and-least-attractive-male-hobbies-according-to-women/
      2. ↑ https://www.thegentlemansjournal.com/article/most-attractive-male-hobbies/
      3. ↑ https://iol.co.za/lifestyle/love-sex/relationships/2024-09-10-the-most-and-least-attractive-male-hobbies-according-to-women/
      4. ↑ https://iol.co.za/lifestyle/love-sex/relationships/2024-09-10-the-most-and-least-attractive-male-hobbies-according-to-women/
      5. ↑ https://www.thegentlemansjournal.com/article/the-5-hobbies-that-women-find-most-attractive/
      6. ↑ https://iol.co.za/lifestyle/love-sex/relationships/2024-09-10-the-most-and-least-attractive-male-hobbies-according-to-women/
      7. ↑ https://www.thegentlemansjournal.com/article/the-5-hobbies-that-women-find-most-attractive/
      8. ↑ https://iol.co.za/lifestyle/love-sex/relationships/2024-09-10-the-most-and-least-attractive-male-hobbies-according-to-women/
      9. ↑ https://iol.co.za/lifestyle/love-sex/relationships/2024-09-10-the-most-and-least-attractive-male-hobbies-according-to-women/
      1. ↑ https://iol.co.za/lifestyle/love-sex/relationships/2024-09-10-the-most-and-least-attractive-male-hobbies-according-to-women/
      2. ↑ https://iol.co.za/lifestyle/love-sex/relationships/2024-09-10-the-most-and-least-attractive-male-hobbies-according-to-women/
      3. ↑ https://iol.co.za/lifestyle/love-sex/relationships/2024-09-10-the-most-and-least-attractive-male-hobbies-according-to-women/
      4. ↑ https://www.thegentlemansjournal.com/article/the-5-hobbies-that-women-find-most-attractive/
      5. ↑ https://iol.co.za/lifestyle/love-sex/relationships/2024-09-10-the-most-and-least-attractive-male-hobbies-according-to-women/
      6. ↑ https://iol.co.za/lifestyle/love-sex/relationships/2024-09-10-the-most-and-least-attractive-male-hobbies-according-to-women/
      7. ↑ https://iol.co.za/lifestyle/love-sex/relationships/2024-09-10-the-most-and-least-attractive-male-hobbies-according-to-women/
      8. ↑ https://iol.co.za/lifestyle/love-sex/relationships/2024-09-10-the-most-and-least-attractive-male-hobbies-according-to-women/
      9. ↑ https://iol.co.za/lifestyle/love-sex/relationships/2024-09-10-the-most-and-least-attractive-male-hobbies-according-to-women/
      10. ↑ https://iol.co.za/lifestyle/love-sex/relationships/2024-09-10-the-most-and-least-attractive-male-hobbies-according-to-women/
      11. ↑ https://iol.co.za/lifestyle/love-sex/relationships/2024-09-10-the-most-and-least-attractive-male-hobbies-according-to-women/
      12. ↑ https://iol.co.za/lifestyle/love-sex/relationships/2024-09-10-the-most-and-least-attractive-male-hobbies-according-to-women/
      13. ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-attraction-doctor/201606/4-tips-for-attracting-someone-new-and-still-being-yourself
      14. ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/magnetic-partners/202010/the-importance-of-shared-interests-in-relationships
      15. ↑ https://iol.co.za/lifestyle/love-sex/relationships/2024-09-10-the-most-and-least-attractive-male-hobbies-according-to-women/

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