I used to think keeping shrimp was strange too. But they really are fun to watch...my son and I can sit for quite a long time watching them do their shrimpy thing. Dwarf shrimp get to about 1" long, are very hardy (most of the Neocaridina species are at least), and and have babies that are teeny replicas of the adults...too cute! They also come in a huge array of colors! Blue, yellow, orange, red, pure white...and LOTS more. They are excellent tank cleaners (most of them) and are very peaceful. They hide quite a bit unless you have a bunch of them, then they get much bolder, even with fish in the tank. Mine even eat food that's right under the fish noses! Once you spend a little time watching them in a tank where they feel secure, which means you will get to see all their little amusing quirks, you will totally get how we can like our little shrimp so much!
I started with just a few RCS (Red Cherries) just to see what the fuss was about...and for some color and to clean up the substrate...about 3 months later I have over 160! They breed like rabbits! They totally ignore even my most aggressive fish and just hang out all day.
I am now breeding Blue Velvets, which have a beautiful bright blue color, and yellow-green eggs! They are a Neo species so you do have to separate them from other Neos (RCS) or they will crossbreed. They are in their own planted tank and doing very well...Again, I started with just a few, and now have four berried females! I'm sure in a few months' time I will be posting For Sale ads for some of these beauties! Maybe you will want to give them a try then...?
I definitely suggest keeping some shrimp...I would definitely recommend a Neo species, as they are much less picky about water parameters, and their young have no larval stage...like I said above, their babies come out just like Mom...only super teeny! You definitely need a pre-filter/sponge on your intake though, if you don't want your little shrimplets sucked up.
BTW, I also thought snail-keeping was not only weird but gross. Now I think my rabbit snails just might be the cutest things ever. Still not a fan of some of the other ones but the rabbits are sooo adorable.