Skip to content

Some people get a kick out of reading railway timetables…

“Some people get a kick out of reading railway timetables and that's all they do all day. Some people make huge model boats out of matchsticks. So what's wrong if there happens to be one guy in the world who enjoys trying to understand you?" "Kind of like a hobby?" she said, amused. "Yeah I guess…” quote by Haruki Murakami
Download Open image
““Some people get a kick out of reading railway timetables and that's all they do all day. Some people make huge model boats out of matchsticks. So what's wrong if there happens to be one guy in the world who enjoys trying to understand you?" "Kind of like a hobby?" she said, amused. "Yeah I guess you could call it a hobby. Most normal people would call it friendship or love or something, but if you want to call it a hobby, that's OK too.””

Haruki Murakami

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

People may treat deep emotional connections as hobbies, reducing intimacy to a pastime.

In simple terms: Friendship or love can be seen as a hobby.

Key Takeaway

Recognize the depth of relationships.

Themes

relationships intimacy perception

Mood

melancholic introspective

Type

literary dialogue

When to use this quote

  • dating
  • friendship
  • conflict resolution
  • self‑reflection

Key Concepts

emotional labor social norms

Questions to Reflect On

  • When does a “hobby” become a meaningful bond?
  • How can you differentiate casual interest from deep connection?
A Different Perspective

May trivialize genuine emotional needs.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet

More by Haruki Murakami

Explore all 2,928 Haruki Murakami quotes

More Friendship quotes

Browse all 45,469 Friendship quotes