What makes someone different?

Just about everyone I know or have heard speak at one point or another always likes to inform those around them that they are different. They think outside the box, they don’t share the same common ideals or goals as everyone else, they are unique. Yet personally, I have rarely seen any one who can back up such claims.
I understand that it is extremely hard to go against the norm and ignore society’s rules, if not impossible, but hating the government or boycotting McDonald’s doesn’t make you different. Not being a fashion fiend doesn’t make you different, and enjoying an underground type of music doesn’t make you different, not watching sports doesn’t make you different. Reading books doesn’t make you different, because otherwise, there would barely be any books to read.

I think a big part of the problem is that a lot of people don’t take the time to listen to others, see what they’re into and whatnot…because if they did, they would then know that there are a lot of different tastes and ideals out there, and that theirs is not all that unique. At all.

But perhaps I have it all wrong. What does it mean to be different? To think outside the box? Surely this exists. And please; I do not claim myself to be different or unique, in fact I consider myself pretty normal and sheep like.