# Do you have a talent for something you take zero pleasure in? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 30, 2011, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-a-talent-for-something-you-take-zero-pleasure-in/587402 "2011-06-30T16:56:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Pyper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Pyper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pyper)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2011, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-a-talent-for-something-you-take-zero-pleasure-in/587402/61 "2011-07-03T18:41:57Z")
Math and the hard sciences. I was at the top of my math and science classes all through high school, got 5’s on all my AP tests, and was even rewarded multiple scholarships based on these talents. However, I ended up getting my degree in the arts (to my scientist parents’ eternal chagrin) and now work in the education/psychology field. Also, I’m very good at assembling things. The male members of my family seem to think that assembling things is their domain, however, so I let them grumble and scratch their heads over the latest piece of “requires assembly” furniture because I don’t want to impugn their manhood. ---
**Author:** ![tnetennba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7993a0/32.png) [@tnetennba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tnetennba)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2011, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-a-talent-for-something-you-take-zero-pleasure-in/587402/62 "2011-07-04T18:50:39Z")
> [@tdn](#): > > I sort of remember reading a book about music once. There was a section about natural talents, and as far as musical ability goes, there are four natural talents. People who had two or three of those tended to excel, as they saw their deficiencies as challenges. But people who had all four talents didn’t feel challenged and tended not to go into music. > > I’m not sure if I got any of that right. It’s been a long time since I read it. “If I had ever learnt the piano forte, I should have been a great proficient.” - Lady Catherine in _Pride and Prejudice_. ---
**Author:** ![Enderw24](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ba9def/32.png) [@Enderw24](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enderw24)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2011, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-a-talent-for-something-you-take-zero-pleasure-in/587402/63 "2011-07-05T16:42:06Z")
I have a natural talent for replying to posts in a witty and intelligent manner but most of the time, meh, whatever. ---
**Author:** ![Rachellelogram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rachellelogram/32/8689_2.png) [@Rachellelogram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rachellelogram)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2011, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-a-talent-for-something-you-take-zero-pleasure-in/587402/64 "2011-07-05T20:51:43Z")
My job. I can get callers set up with a claim and get them off the phone in record time, but I despise the repetition. Any job I’ve had, really. None of them challenge me adequately. I get bored, and my attendance record starts to suffer, invalidating my ability to get promoted. Vicious cycle, etc. ---
**Author:** ![maggenpye](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ecc23a/32.png) [@maggenpye](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/maggenpye)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2011, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-a-talent-for-something-you-take-zero-pleasure-in/587402/65 "2011-07-05T21:54:01Z")
Numeric data entry - I’m barely above average on typing, but with just belting in numbers? Weirdly fast and accurate. It’s the most boring job in the world. Sure I can unhook my brain from betweeen my eyes and fingers, but I’m still stuck at the desk. And teaching people stuff. Many of my jobs have ended up with me teaching people something; the new computer system, sewing, the accounts, the porcine lymphatic system, whatever. I’m often told I should have been a teacher. I am very clear and encouraging of every scrap people learn because I want it to stop as quickly as possible and that’s the most effective way. I hate it. ---
**Author:** ![Electric\_Warrior](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee7513/32.png) [@Electric\_Warrior](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Electric_Warrior)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2011, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-a-talent-for-something-you-take-zero-pleasure-in/587402/66 "2011-07-05T23:58:44Z")
Apparently, caring for children. When I was younger and used to babysit neighborhood kids for pocket money, the children would usually decide I was their new best friend, and the parents would always want to hire me back. I hated it. I feel like I can’t communicate with children at all, and that caring for them is excruciatingly boring. I don’t have any kind of nurturing instinct for my fellow humans. When a child gets upset and cries I just get annoyed. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-have-a-talent-for-something-you-take-zero-pleasure-in/587402.md?page=3)