Bon Vivant hobbies.

[907Thunder]

Ok here is the deal,
I spend my time in martial arts, I work, and of course I train with my handgun and rifle, but that's not what makes good date conversation. So tell me what hobbies do you guys enjoy to keep your mind at peace whilst your flexing it. I had a roommate who liked to keep a saltwater aquarium, and another roommate who liked to turn a wrench, while the third roommate, liked to drink beer and watch the boob tube(not bon vivant.) I like poetry, I dont know much and I am just getting into it but it seems to be a hobby I can take with me.

So what are your bon vivant hobbies?

Side note: does anybody have any poetry suggestions?

[Custom II]

I am a bass guitarist, and have also mixed sound for going on seven years... listening to music is almost as fun as playing it! Besides that and enjoying a good cigar, I'm a simple man

[Juju]

I used to own a sailboat, but it was far from a race boat. The few times that I did race sailboats, I absolutely loved it (in particular, racing Lasers). I thought about taking up scuba/snorkeling since I was already into boats. But, the move out of CA couldn't be beat. Horse racing is the millionaire sport, yacht racing is the billonaire sport--can't get more Bon vivant than large boats.

I did take an intro to flying paragliders for a very short time, but the logistics was messy.

[Francisp]

Ok here is the deal,
I spend my time in martial arts, I work, and of course I train with my handgun and rifle, but that's not what makes good date conversation. So tell me what hobbies do you guys enjoy to keep your mind at peace whilst your flexing it. I had a roommate who liked to keep a saltwater aquarium, and another roommate who liked to turn a wrench, while the third roommate, liked to drink beer and watch the boob tube(not bon vivant.) I like poetry, I dont know much and I am just getting into it but it seems to be a hobby I can take with me.

So what are your bon vivant hobbies?

Side note: does anybody have any poetry suggestions?

Seriously don't bring up guns and martial arts while dating generally. i'm into traveling, cooking, current events, psychology, music etc. Those are much better things to talk about during a date.

Girls love psychology and readings. Its chick crack.

Basically the stuff Jennifer Aniston likes in Along came Polly.

Creating and making things they find attractive. Having a passion for something etc. But it has to be something you're actually into and have passion about. Find something like that aside from the guns and martial arts and really enjoy it. It keeps you balanced and women will actually see its genuine.

If you start talking about guns and martial arts on a date they will think either you're A) a weirdo or B) a serial killer.

[Vigilant]

Cooking, especially outdoors! Chicks dig guys that can cook a full meal from something other than the phone book or microwave!

[bae]

Cooking, wine making, cruising in my tugboat, rowing/sailing my Swampscott dory, blacksmithing, firefighting/rescue work, hounds/tracking, bass playing, and a few NSFW pursuits :-)

[JPourciau]

Learn to cook. Learn to dive. Learn another language. Take flying lessons. The possibilities are endless... Myself, I scuba dive, enjoy photography, and have recently begun home brewing my own beer. Read Tim Ferris's latest book if you need some other ideas.

[Saladin]

I have restored classic motorcycles and classic military vehicles (armor) for several years now.

Quite satisfying, good from an investment standpoint.

Good for "cocktail conversations", and chicks dig them!

Sal

[Monte]

Hot air ballooning, Boy Scouts, cooking, ham radio, motorcycling, gunsmithing, animal husbandry, leather and Kydex work, skill collecting, and reading.

[P.D.]

Two things I learned about dating over my nearly 65 years on the planet is that what interests us guys rarely, if ever, interests a girl or woman. For example, poetry is something most women like, but my tastes in poetry is limited to Kipling - not a turn on for the fairer sex. Nor is restoring 40 year old motorcycles.

Food, music, wine, art seem to be safer interests for dating discussion topics.

[LawDog]

RNR may be able to make poetry work, but I have to agree with P.D.'s assessment:

what interests us guys rarely, if ever, interests a girl or woman.
If the goal is simply to meet women, give up now. Just do what you like and hope to find a woman who will put up with you. But I do believe that hobbies can give us balance and prevent us from overworking ourselves. My wife has no interest in my hobbies. She does not love me because of them. She loves me despite them.

I tend to take on hobbies with a furor. I can't simply dabble in something. If I am going to do it, I want to reach a self-selected level of success. But once I've reached that level, I sometimes abandon those pursuits and move on to others. (Not always, though.)

Before a trip to Europe right after college, I bought my first SLR camera, to make sure that I got photos worth keeping from my great adventure. That turned into a long-lasting endeavor into photography. (This is one of the hobbies that has been essentially abandoned. I just don't have the time any more to do it right.)

I wanted some nylon gear that didn't exist, so I bought some nylon and got my grandmother's old Sears sewing machine. I've made backpacks, mag pouches, and all kinds of other gear. I'm a decent seamster. (Don't call me a seamstress.)

I live a mile from my office, so I figured a bicycle would be a reasonable way to commute. Pretty soon, I was doing 60-milers on the weekend, and 200-mile races. (I still refuse to shave my legs, though, so I will never be accepted as a true cyclist.)

I wanted some cabinets and built-ins to fit my house and office, and make full use of the available space. I've become a pretty good cabinet and furniture maker.

But I don't do these things to have conversation material for cocktail parties. I do these things for me. They help to make a complete man. I have skills far beyond those I exercise in my profession. My goal is to be a true renaissance man. I'm getting there.

[JPourciau]

^^^ This... Good post LawDog, good advice.

[BESEPUL]

Cooking, wine, music. Inviting someone for lunch or dinner and showing your culinary skills almost always gets a positive reaction, unless you are a far better cook than she is :p.
I'm also a part time musician and play several gigs a month, ranging grom latin music to blues, hard rock, etc. I keep some guitars as part of the decor in the apartment and some pictures of me playing. They are also great conversation starters. I own one particular Les Paul that even people that know nothing about guitars always notice because it's just a beautiful instrument.

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/03/06/uvy4eze7.jpg

"It''s not because I'm a lawyer, it's because I have many leather-bound books and my apartment smells of rich mahogany..."

[OdieWon]

I'd say with out a doubt, pick the hobbies that A. you like, and B. fit the gal you want. If you want an athletic girl that likes to be tanned and on the water, learn to dive. It's that simple.

Just about every woman likes a man that's cultured and able to enjoy the finer things in life, with her. But if you're a pastry enthusiast, you're going to naturally attract gals that eat a lot of pastries. Just sayin'

[Jeremy]

Motorcycles and music here, I just bought a 1991 Warwick Streamer Stage 1 and am cleaning up and doing a little luthier type repair to. I also love coaching my daughter's soccer team, having the ability to work with and enjoy little children really catches a lady's attention. Just taking my 1yr old son to the store and being a daddy gets attention (I'm taken, thank you very much). That's primal attraction.

[buckcz]

Just about every woman likes a man that's cultured and able to enjoy the finer things in life, with her. But if you're a pastry enthusiast, you're going to naturally attract gals that eat a lot of pastries. Just sayin'

that is hilarious
kind of a "bird's of a feather" type thing 8)

[AlwaysVigilant]

I build boats, work on watches (not as much anymore), read a lot, and spend time with my kids. I have been around the block a few times (not proud of it, but hey) with the opposite sex. I have found the biggest factors in attraction and conversation are pretty simple.

1. We are all physically attracted first, but women are more lenient here initially.
2. Have a good sense of humor, beyond guy stuff.
3. Be well read. Intelligence is a turn on both ways. (poetry...stick to the classics, you can find a ton of info with Google that will point you in the right direction)
4. Be well rounded in things you can talk about. Women love to talk.
5. Learn to communicate with kids, it is essential to fatherhood, and women like it.
6. Be honest, and be who you are.

7. Be a MAN. Don't believe the crap in the movies. Women want flowers, and music, and romance, but not at the expense of testosterone and a backbone. Manhood should precede romance, because makes it special, and respect earns trust and comfort. (by the way, real men are affectionate.)

Hobbies and personal interests create conversation opportunities for sure, but there needs to be variety to sustain a relationship. If my wife and I were into all the same stuff, life would be really boring.

[clintofio]

Already landed my dream woman... but the hobbies outside of gun stuff I'm pursuing the next few years include:

-Investing (real estate and other)
-Hunting (preferably archery hunting)/Cleaning/Processing/Cooking/Preparing all manner of Wild Game to healthy and delicious effect
-Buying and Flying Aircraft (want to start with a piston single and work my way up to a turboprop funds permitting... also want to obtain rotorcraft and seaplane ratings)
-Being the best dad ever including participating in homeschooling and helping my children pursue things they're passionate about to the highest levels they want to go with them
-Healthy Food Self-Sufficiency improvements like possibly chickens for eggs or maybe explore Aquaponics
-International Travel
-Learning Spanish

[bmp_sbi]

Other than the firearms/defense training I do some of the following:
1. mountainbike.
2. Dogsit some....we (wife and I) like pets.....that would be a good way to meet girls too.....women LOVE pets...and they love men that rescue/foster pets. Volunteer at an animal shelter.
3. Reading
4. Play Music.
5. Cook.
6. Hit flea markets, yard sales, second hand shops, thrift stores. Women love to shop and they love it when they get a DEAL. If they are too snooty to go to a thrift store you probably dont want them anyway.
7. Fish.
8. Hunt.

[Goat]

I'm into hiking and backpacking. As it turns out, I end up meeting allot of women who like the same stuff. (although finding a gal who is into backpacking but not a tree hugger is almost next to impossible...)

Besides that I enjoy craft beers/micro brews, listening to music, reading classic literature (try to fit at least a couple in a year), going to classic car shows, Traveling both domestic and internationally, and I used to be in drama (generally it surpries most everyone when they realize that you sing and can do a multitude of voices and accents)

Have to agree with OdieWon though, do what you like and you'll find a gal who likes the same things.

[Maddog6]

I'll be married 26 years come August. My wife has no interest in guns. For my wedding gift she gave me a Winchester Model 70 in 7mm RemMag. For our 20th anniversary a Colt Single Action Army. Nuff' said!

[907Thunder]

Well this wasnt to focus around the dating aspect but most of you guys got the idea. Some of your hobbies are a little out of the price range, but are certainly points of progress i look forward to.

[Francisp]

Learn to cook. Learn to dive. Learn another language. Take flying lessons. The possibilities are endless... Myself, I scuba dive, enjoy photography, and have recently begun home brewing my own beer. Read Tim Ferris's latest book if you need some other ideas.

I have Ferris's book and CD. Good stuff. I enjoyed them.

[Al Lipscomb]

Beekeeping (when I can anymore).

There is something therapeutic about having your hands in a box full of 50,000 stinging insects.

[JPS]

I spent years playing guitar, harmonica and bass in local bands. I was part of a group of musicians that would get gigs and then put the band together based on who was available. The women that came up to me at gigs were NOT the kind of ladies that I wanted anything to do with. However I am married so that might account for my lack or interest. Women seem to like guys who are interested in things like fine dining, travel and wine. Things that indicate that you have some disposable income.

[Teckomando]

I invested in some scuba gear years ago and the cost to dive is considerably inexpensive. Fly-fishing has garnered my passions lately. It's what I do for quiet time. It too, can be expensive to gear up then it's cheap to engage in. Reloading is my meditation. It took a small initial investment but it helps me shoot more. Snowshoeing is another hobby that I use for quiet time. It's also good for dates. Any activity that involves a little adrenalin is great for dates. One of my best dating hobbies is to invite ladies to shoot after rappelling. Most women (at least the ones I'm interested in) are willing to try an adventure. Plus it introduces some to shooting. In Utah I've found more than a few that are already into shooting. One of my most inexpensive hobbies is low tech camping. I like to disappear (on rare occasion) in the Utah wilderness and practice basic survival skills. I'm a professional geek and sometimes I just want to shed technology and enjoy the sounds of God.

[Benjamin Liu]

IMO a true warrior bon vivant hobby would be whatever you like to do for your own reasons, not because other people like it or because other people consider it a warrior's hobby.

If you really like Star Wars and collect figures, read the books, play the games, etc. then that could be your bon vivant hobby, but if you do all that just because other people think it is a great hobby then you'd just be conforming.

[Dr_Dave]

I have 4. Photography, ham radio, sports car racing and flying by plane. Nothing better that being at 10,000 feet to clear your head. Looking at the landscape makes you appreciate G_d's handiwork.

[907Thunder]

I definitely would like to fly. I grew up in alaska my dad flies and all our friends fly. I just never had the resources and opportunity to pursue it. Flying and being around aircraft for me is something that just truly makes me excited and relaxed. I think that is why I always liked jimmy buffet now that i think about it. Iv also wanted to learn to sail. but my accounts are damn near drained.

[Danneskjold]

Not yet a hobby, but for Christmas my wife got me a tandem free fall jump. Glad I didn't crap my pants, and looking forward to ding it again and/or learning to sky dive myself.

Scuba is also fun, especially if you're a water baby. Plus it's an excuse to buy another knife. Speaking of: anyone use any TSD knives for diving?

Reading good books can be fun. Some of the classics are enjoyable (to me at least): Wuthering Heights; The Fountainhead; Lord of the Rings; etc. But strangely I've been bored to death every time I ever tried Hemingway.

Poetry is the same: I've enjoyed some Kipling, Tennyson, Dylan Thomas. But I get bored with poems about plant life and stuff along those lines. I want Richard Greynville taking on 60 Spanish ships alone in the Revenge, or Thomas telling his old man to fight to the end. YMMV.

Overall, I have to agree with the sentiments expressed above: do what you enjoy. You'll either find a woman who enjoys the same things, loves you despite them, or be a bachelor for a long time. But faking who you are is a sure way to end up on the wrong side of several failed relationships.

[Barker]

Didn't have a hobby when I met my wife. I was an unemployed student with very little cash. To compensate...I made her my hobby, habit, and eventually my better half. Now we travel and hike together, she shoots with me some, and I grill. 27 years later she is still the hobby I am most passionate about.

[rodanvssct]

Whitewater kayaking!

[NBish84]

Horses. I met my wife on a trail ride, through some riends. She grew up with them, and i had had mine for a couple of years. By having the same hobby and friends, we had the same mindset on other issues. She never really had an interest in guns, but now the last three gun purchases have been hers!

[Heywood]

Well, when I was single, my biggest and most expensive hobby by far was finding ways to entertain women... Not something you should bring up on a date though, gets a far worse reaction than telling them you like to do guy things... Learn to cook and get good at it, keep a clean house and you can pretty much stick with the hobbies you already enjoy.
My hobbies now are mainly overland ATV travel/camping and fly fishing in my back yard.

[John Chambers]

Play guitar, mostly blues and classic rock. But when I sing, it is usually classical though family choir practice crosses all genres.

But of course, hunting is one of the greatest Bon Vivant activities! Deer, pigs, dove, etc. All are part of the good life!

[WinstonSmith]

Reading good books can be fun. Some of the classics are enjoyable (to me at least): ... The Fountainhead...


Of course YOU would say that. :cool:

I'm fairly certain that you selected the perfect handle for this place.

[JFSanders]

Do the things you love to do. She will either like you or not and it won't have much to do with what your hobbies are. What will have the most impact upon your success or lack of it is being able to converse with her. Conversation is an art form that requires more listening than talking. Women love to talk but they don't want to carry the conversation. Your job is to carry it and to direct it. My wife calls me a social butterfly and it is true that I can carry on a conversation with just about anyone on just about any subject. The reason being is I ask questions more than I give statements or opinions. The best conversations happen when you can establish a connection with the other person and that is done by asking them questions about things they know. Start off with general areas and listen intently to the responses and those will give you your next set of questions. I have had total strangers tell me things that they shouldn't have.

[CaptBeach]

Nothing more graceful to me than long wings and fast glass...


https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=ZIW3AHocPXI#t=23 s

[flyfisher]

Fly fishing and tying. Nothing better than standing in a river waving a stick. It can be as expensive as you want it to be.

[The rifleman next door]

I play the skin flute, whistle dixie out my butt cheeks, I can give people the middle finger in ten different languages and I can change a diaper on a screaming, squirming ADHD-afflicted 2 1/2 year old (akin to live-skinning a porcupine with a spoon):tongue: while maintaining a conversation on a cell phone.

Nah...seriously....My wife and I enjoy putting together a platter with crackers, wine, cheese, italian meats, legumes and olives, grapes etc. with a good Malbec or Chianti and sitting down to watch a movie.

I enjoy watching doccumentaries and commentaries of the world's greatest intellectuals (both left and right) during my 50%+ downtime on the night shift at my ER. Chris Hitchens, Niall Ferguson, Noam Chomsky, Gwinn Dyer, Bertrand Russell, George Orwell, the NOVA series etc. to name a few.

We like to eat the cusine of the Mediterranean region, Middle East and the far east. We balance our Thai, Persian, Korean, Japanese, Ethiopian, Lebanese and Greek cravings with plenty of Saltgrass, Texas Road House, Pappasitos, Texas BBQ, Tex-Mex, and Cracker Barrel.

I mantain a vigilant observation of news, trends, predictions, market and social forces etc. via the lame-stream media, the alternative internet media, the blogosphere, the market media, the alternate market media, and through my neighbors and friends in the financial, firearm sales and law enforcement sectors. I constantly filter for fact over fiction and struggle to keep the tinfoil in the drawer.

I shoot...and I draw/dry-fire...and I shoot....and I draw/dry-fire etc.

I maintain a raised-bed 10x40x2 vegetable garden, grape vines, two fig trees and an orange tree in my yard. I hunt and nail an antelope about every other year (most tender backstrap i have ever tasted....like aged filet mignon) I shoot hogs when I can down at the mother and father in-laws...we eat the little ones and bury the big ones.

Good Coffee, Crown Royal, Shiner Beers, Cognac, Texas' red wines and Italian food are my chosen comforts...I perfer my booze, friends, information-received and direction in life straight.

[Foxpup]

Cooking, gardening, art, 5K's and things like Thor, and ROLLER DERBY! :P

[PCGlock]

Hats to admit it but I like golf. My wife enjoys it too. Unlike others it is a hobby I can enjoy without having to worry about skill level or sobriety.
I dive and spearfish too.

Sent from my Kindle Fire using Tapatalk 2

[83DropTop]

This.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXU3N9wT3u0

[CaptBeach]

I play the skin flute....ummmm I'm speechless....:bigeyes: or are you saying you whistle?

[Hasher]

I hav ea lot of hobbies.

Shooting, Hiking, Backpacking, ect.

My Bon vivant hobbbies..................

Cooking. I really do know my way around the kitchen (thank you Food Network, Emril Lagasse and Alton Brown).

My other Bob Vivant hobby is African Hunting.

I had dreamed of hunting Africa since I was about 9 reading my Grandfathers hunting books.

I finally went in 2011 (shot 18 animals) and I ham headed back in June for 2 more Safaris back to back.

[TrojanSkyCop1]

Karaoke singing, dining (foreign cuisine, especially Indian, Thai, and Moroccan), choir singing, linguistics, reading, travel, Irish pubs, historical re-enactments, classic cars, playing blackjack, weightlifting, action-adventure films, historical documentaries, listening to oldies/classic rock and Celtic (bagpipe) music....

[CaptBeach]

OK....Sailplane, Boats (CAPT BEACH) old trucks, cooking, whole hog BBQ, dining out especially on the road...been to all 50 states, international travel, China, NZ, Australia, Indonesia, Thailand, Norway, Ireland, England, Scotland, Mexico, Belize, Dominican, Haiti, Guatemala, Saskatchewan, Ontario, Alberta, Toronto...soon Columbia, Peru and Chile...reloading, guns, shooting, building and trading, lately I've been experimenting with fine Vodka's and Scotch is a new one...

[Crusader8207]

Here is my hobby.http://i1062.photobucket.com/albums/t483/Mluikey/91AD93A9-351C-4B2A-B3EE-47B7C8A43F69-11064-00000B33F90548BC_zps300c630b.jpg