IF YOU’RE a religious data entry worker who likes watching TV and lives in a town, look away now.
Scientists have identified you as the most boring person in the world.
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The brutal conclusion came about after people were asked the types of jobs and hobbies they considered dull.
Results suggest that careers in data analysis, accounting, cleaning and banking are among the blandest.
While performing arts, careers in science, journalism, health professionals and teaching were ranked the most exciting jobs.
When it comes to hobbies, experts found that those into sleeping, religion, watching TV, observing animals or maths-based activities were also viewed as uninteresting.
To add insult to injury, mundane folk are usually found in small cities and towns because they shun large settlements, it’s claimed.
The study, by the University of Essex, reveals that stereotypically boring people are generally disliked and avoided due to preconceptions.
But experts warn that avoiding people because of these assumptions put them at greater risk of harm, addiction and mental health issues.
“Perceptions can change but people may not take time to speak to those with ‘boring’ jobs and hobbies, instead choosing to avoid them,” research lead Dr Wijnand Van Tilburg said.
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“They don’t get a chance to prove people wrong and break these negative stereotypes.
“The very fact that people choose to avoid them can lead to social ostracisation and increase loneliness leading to a really negative impact on their lives.
“It was interesting to me to see the study showed that boring people were not seen as competent.
“I would have thought that accountants would be seen as boring, but effective and the perfect person to do a good job on your tax return.
“The truth of the matter is people like bankers and accountants are highly capable and have power in society – perhaps we should try not to upset them and stereotype them as boring.”
The study was published in the Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin.
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In other news, the new Harry Potter video game Hogwarts Legacy will feature some familiar faces despite being set hundreds of years before the majority of characters were even born.
A major Mars mission to find out whether life ever existed on the planet could be delayed by up to six years at best, as Europe scrambles to replace Russian parts.
Internet users have been urged not to use a popular piece of anti-virus software over fears it could be exploited by the Kremlin to spy or launch cyberattacks.
And Instagram could be planning to bring back a way to see what your friends like on the platform.
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This post first appeared on Thesun.co.uk
