We’ve all met someone who proudly calls themselves “quirky.”
They insist they’re one of a kind and not like other people, but they don’t realise that there’s a fine line between being genuinely unique and just being, well… annoying. While some people’s quirks are endearing, others use “quirkiness” as an excuse for inconsiderate or frustrating behaviour. If you’ve ever wondered whether someone is truly interesting or just testing your patience, here are some signs that that their “different” personality is really just obnoxious.
1. They force their weirdness on everyone.
Being different is great… until someone makes it their whole personality and demands that everyone acknowledge it constantly. They don’t just have quirks; they need you to know about them at all times, and they won’t let you forget it.
If someone is always pointing out how random or unpredictable they are, chances are, they’re trying too hard. True uniqueness doesn’t need a running commentary. If your personality has to be announced to be noticed, then it’s probably more performative than real.
2. They interrupt conversations with unrelated nonsense.
We all go off on tangents sometimes, but there’s a difference between natural enthusiasm and completely derailing a conversation. Some people think blurting out random facts or jokes mid-conversation makes them charming—it doesn’t.
Instead of adding to the discussion, they throw in something totally irrelevant, forcing everyone to adjust to their randomness. While they might think they’re being delightfully unpredictable, it usually just makes conversations feel disjointed and frustrating.
3. They refuse to like anything mainstream.
Being into niche things is fine, but some people act like anything popular is automatically bad. They roll their eyes at mainstream music, dismiss popular films, and claim they only like underground artists you’ve definitely never heard of.
It’s not that they actually dislike mainstream stuff; they just want to seem cooler than everyone else. If you have to aggressively reject anything popular to prove your individuality, you’re not quirky, you’re just exhausting. There’s nothing wrong with liking what you like without making it a competition.
4. They make everything about themselves.
Some people mistake being quirky for making every single situation revolve around them. No matter what’s happening, they find a way to steer the focus back to their own eccentricities.
They’ll turn every group decision into a declaration of their uniqueness, whether it’s ordering food in a weirdly complicated way or refusing to watch a film because it’s too predictable. It’s not about personality—it’s about control, and it can be draining for everyone around them.
5. They have to be the loudest person in the room.
Source: Unsplash Some people believe that being quirky means being constantly energetic and over-the-top. They’ll laugh the loudest, talk over people, and exaggerate every story to make themselves seem more exciting than they actually are.
There’s a difference between being naturally expressive and demanding attention 24/7. If someone never lets a conversation breathe because they need to be the centre of it, it’s not quirkiness; it’s just attention-seeking. True individuality doesn’t have to shout to be noticed.
6. They overshare with people they barely know.
Source: Unsplash We all appreciate honesty and vulnerability, but some people seem to have no filter at all. They’ll tell you their deepest secrets five minutes after meeting you, mistaking oversharing for being open and real.
While self-expression is great, dumping personal details on people who didn’t ask for them can be overwhelming. Boundaries exist for a reason, and ignoring them doesn’t make you quirky—it just makes things awkward and uncomfortable.
7. They act like social norms don’t apply to them.
Source: Unsplash Being unique doesn’t mean disregarding basic manners. Some people think it’s cute to ignore common courtesy—talking over people, showing up late with no apology, or treating personal space like a suggestion rather than a rule.
They might laugh it off with, “That’s just how I am!” but in reality, they’re just being inconsiderate. Quirky people still respect other people; annoying people expect everyone else to adjust to them without offering the same courtesy in return.
8. They do random things for attention.
Source: Unsplash You’re in a quiet café, and suddenly, someone randomly bursts into song. Or you’re having a normal conversation, and they start doing a silly dance for no reason. It’s not a fun, spontaneous moment—it’s forced randomness.
There’s a difference between having fun and deliberately being disruptive for attention. If their quirky behaviour always seems to happen when people are watching, it’s not genuine—it’s performative, and honestly, a bit exhausting for everyone around them.
9. They love correcting people.
Source: Unsplash Nothing ruins a conversation faster than someone who constantly nitpicks minor details. They think that pointing out tiny mistakes or correcting people’s grammar makes them look smart and quirky.
In reality, it just makes them exhausting. Nobody likes feeling like they’re being graded every time they speak, and people who do this aren’t being endearingly odd—they’re just irritating. Conversations should be enjoyable, not a pop quiz.
10. They mock other people’s interests.
Source: Unsplash Some self-proclaimed quirky people seem to think that being different means putting other people down. They’ll roll their eyes at someone who likes basic things like pumpkin spice lattes, reality TV, or pop music.
They act like their interests are somehow superior just because they’re more obscure. But being quirky isn’t about proving you’re better than everyone else; it’s about embracing differences, not mocking them. True individuality doesn’t need to be competitive.
11. They refuse to take anything seriously.
It’s fun to joke around, but some people never switch it off. Even in serious situations, they’ll crack jokes, brush things off, or act like they don’t care. It’s not quirky to dismiss people’s feelings or turn everything into a joke—it’s just frustrating. A well-timed joke is great, but knowing when to be serious is part of being a decent person.
12. They think being annoying is their whole personality.
Some people lean so hard into their quirky identity that they start treating their annoying behaviour like it’s something to be proud of. They’ll even laugh and say, “I know I’m annoying, but that’s just me!” But here’s the thing: If multiple people have told you you’re annoying, it might not be a fun personality trait—it might be something worth working on. Being a little weird is great, but forcing it at other people’s expense? Not so much.
