Many people have idiosyncratic rituals. Sufferers tend to repeatedly check car doors to ensure they’re locked, step on sidewalk cracks exactly the same amount of time with each foot, sanitize hands over and over to fend off germs. But rarely does it come down to … wait, did I turn off my flat iron?

Targeted dating sites connect Jews, African-Americans or members of other minority groups looking for love within their communities. But these sites also attract outsiders, people who want to date people from those ethnic or religious groups, but aren’t part of that group.

Silent clubbing is becoming more popular as party-goers realize the advantages of dancing to music only they can hear through their wireless headphones — including the ability to be their own DJs.

For some people, it’s not enough to just run a 5k race. They also dress as zombies and chase runners through mazes, over slopes and other obstacles in an effort to either “kill” them, or else turn them into zombies like themselves. Zombie races are growing in popularity, for those who dress as them and for those who just like to be chased.

Restaurants and home cooks are whipping up thier own artisanal soda syrups and leading a revival that is bringing the culinary values of seasonal, homemade, and local to the fizzy beverage, while reminding us of the soda fountain’s heyday.