I do noncommercial talk radio and podcasts, I’m not real-world famous or anything but there are people out there who know me from that. On multiple occasions when listeners have met me in person, they’ve mentioned being surprised by pretty much all of what I look like as it didn’t match their mental image of me. I’ve also had folks be surprised by my normal talking pace, because they set their podcast app of choice to high-speed playback and that’s how they’re used to hearing me.

I’m never as good looking or smart as they heard I was.

I feel like basically everything? I look like a petite pumpkin spice white girl but my taste in music, media, clothing, hobbies etc are typically not what my demographic is into, or I’m super into it like fashion and tend to dress “too nicely” (as if that’s possible) which I think also makes people raise an eyebrow when they hear I listen to metal or I’m a basshead, I’m a gamer and have been one for over twenty years, I’m into cars, I love mechanical stuff in general, I like getting my hands dirty and enjoy things like manual labor, I’m always doing yard work. Other weird stuff like my health history is bonkers, but that doesn’t come up as often unless they ask me directly or ask about my scars. People always seem surprised I’m smart but don’t tell me that upfront lol I’m just a good case of “don’t judge a book by its cover” I guess

I don’t like cars. I consider them dangerous and addictive, and I’m willing to cycle a few hundred km just to avoid using one. Mostly because of environmental reasons, but also because I’m probably nerodivergent. Cars are constantly reminding me of the wasted energy, the pollution, and the possibility to kill someone else, or an animal. I’m often distracted and impatient, so I just consider it better for everyone if I avoid them.

And that’s usually a surprise to most people that meet me, as the vast majority of people will reply they could never live without their car. Most people love cars, but to me, seeing an endless stream of them on the horizon makes me sad.

Nice try, cops.

I have an identical twin. Or that the much shorter person next to me is…that identical twin lol. Yes twin is six inches shorter! We’re still identical! Turns out when you’re born 4lbs and 2lbs, the 2lb baby does not catch up in height and stuff!

I have no sense of smell.

Copied from my women’s stuff answer:

That my mom is dead. I’m not old enough for people to really consider that that stage of life might have happened to me yet.

Also, that I’m hard of hearing. I’m in my early 30s, speak well, and don’t look disabled. It’s honestly like a superpower how fast people forget when I tell them I’m a lip reader or am (or am not) wearing hearing aids. Sometimes them speaking louder and to my face lasts a whole 2 sentences.

That I was a cheerleader in college (I’m a male).

That I never smoked, I never wanted and I never tried. I also don’t like chocolate and sweet stuff, I prefer sour.

That I am physically strong. I am skinny and don’t have a lot of obvious muscle but to the surprise of many I can lift heavy and stand my ground arm wrestling.

I tend to fart a lot.

That I’m a virgin