Character Trait: Bad-mannered

To engage your reader, it's important to always show not tell the traits of your characters. The character trait bad-mannered refers to a person who behaves impolitely or rudely in social situations, often showing a lack of consideration for others and disregarding social norms and etiquette. This trait can manifest in various ways, such as interrupting others, speaking loudly, making inappropriate comments, or showing disrespect towards others. A bad-mannered character can create conflict or tension in a story, and may need to learn a lesson or face consequences for their behavior.

Possible causes of being bad-mannered

You might want to weave these into your character's back story to build a more believable character.

• A sense of entitlement or superiority
• Lack of empathy or consideration for others
• Being raised in an environment where bad manners are normalized
• Low self-esteem or insecurity
• Childhood experiences of neglect or abuse
• Mental health issues, such as anxiety or depression
• Lack of proper upbringing or socialization
• Cultural or societal norms that do not prioritize manners or politeness
• Negative influences from peers or role models

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Behaviors associated with being bad-mannered

You may be able to show your character's trait of bad-mannered by using these.

• Ignoring personal space
• Speaking loudly or shouting
• Criticizing or belittling others
• Being rude or sarcastic
• Using foul language
• Interrupting others while they speak
• Not saying please or thank you
• Not respecting cultural differences
• Not apologizing for mistakes

Attitudes associated with being bad-mannered

You may be able to show bad-mannered through their attitudes.

• Ignorance of etiquette and proper behavior
• Selfishness and lack of consideration for others' feelings
• Inability to control emotions and outbursts of anger or frustration
• Aggressiveness and confrontational behavior
• Lack of respect for others
• Impatience and intolerance towards others
• Disregard for social norms and customs

Thoughts and struggles associated with being bad-mannered

Here are some ideas for things your bad-mannered character may think or struggle with.

• They might struggle with anger management issues and lash out verbally or physically when frustrated.
• The character may feel entitled and superior to others, leading to a lack of consideration for their feelings and needs.
• The character may not understand social norms or etiquette and may come across as rude or disrespectful without realizing it.
• The character may be defensive and unwilling to admit fault or take responsibility for their actions.
• They may have a difficult time building and maintaining relationships due to their abrasive personality.
• They may have a deep-seated insecurity or fear of vulnerability that manifests as arrogance and rudeness.
• The character may also struggle with authority figures and may resist following rules or orders.

Emotions associated with being bad-mannered

Here are some ideas for emotions your bad-mannered character may experience.

• Condescension
• Selfishness
• Inconsideration
• Impoliteness
• Intolerance
• Insensitivity
• Rudeness
• Disrespectfulness
• Arrogance

Facial expressions associated with being bad-mannered

Here are some facial expressions your bad-mannered character may exhibit.

• Frowning
• Yawning with exaggerated loudness
• Scowling
• Sneering
• Raising eyebrows in a mocking way
• Pouting
• Smirking
• Sticking out the tongue
• Rolling eyes

Body language associated with being bad-mannered

Here is some body language your bad-mannered character may exhibit.

• Speaking with a raised or condescending tone
• Rolling eyes or huffing in frustration
• Chewing loudly or with an open mouth
• Not using "please" or "thank you" when appropriate
• Standing too close to others
• Not making eye contact while speaking
• Ignoring personal space boundaries
• Interrupting and talking over others
• Fidgeting or tapping impatiently

For detailed feedback on bad-mannered characters and other aspects of your writing, try ProWritingAid's creative writing analyzer.

Behaviors associated with being bad-mannered

Here are some behaviors your bad-mannered character may exhibit.

• Being rude or sarcastic
• Not respecting cultural differences
• Interrupting others while they speak
• Not apologizing for mistakes
• Speaking loudly or shouting
• Ignoring personal space
• Not saying please or thank you
• Using foul language
• Criticizing or belittling others

Growth and evolution of bad-mannered characters

Here are some ways that your bad-mannered character may grow and evolve over time.

• Develop empathy for others and understand how their actions affect those around them
• Take responsibility for their actions and their impact on others
• Show gratitude and appreciation towards those who help them along the way
• Recognize and acknowledge their bad behavior
• Apologize to those they have wronged
• Work on controlling their temper and not acting impulsively
• Develop a sense of self-awareness and understand their own flaws and weaknesses
• Make amends and actively work to improve their relationships with others
• Learn to communicate effectively and express themselves without being rude or disrespectful

Stereotypes of bad-mannered characters to avoid

Try to avoid writing stereotypical bad-mannered character like these examples.

• Avoid stereotyping the character as being from a certain race, gender, or social class that is typically associated with bad manners
• Avoid making the character's bad manners the butt of every joke or the source of ridicule
• Avoid having the character engage in bad manners solely for shock value or to be edgy
• Avoid making the character abusive or violent towards others
• Avoid making the character one-dimensional or entirely defined by their bad manners
• Avoid making the character completely unlikable or unsympathetic to the reader

Negatives of being bad-mannered

Here are some potential negatives of being bad-mannered. Note: These are subjective and some might also be seen as positives depending on the context.

• Bad manners can also damage personal and professional relationships, making it difficult to connect with others.
• They may be perceived as disrespectful or lacking in basic social skills.
• Bad-mannered individuals may come across as rude, impolite, or offensive to others.
• Their behavior can create uncomfortable situations, particularly in public or social settings.

Positives of being bad-mannered

Here are some potential positives of being bad-mannered. Note: These are subjective and some might also be seen as negatives depending on the context.

• Their behavior can serve as a contrast to more polite characters, highlighting their differences and making them stand out
• Bad-mannered characters can be entertaining and provide comic relief in certain situations
• They can be used to create tension and conflict with other characters
• Bad-mannered characters can be unpredictable and add a unique layer of complexity to a story

Verbal expressions of bad-mannered characters

Here are some potential expressions used by bad-mannered characters.

• Interrupting others while they are speaking
• Speaking over others or monopolizing conversations
• Speaking loudly or aggressively
• Using profanity or offensive language
• Not saying "please" or "thank you"
• Making inappropriate or insensitive jokes
• Being rude to waitstaff or service workers
• Not respecting personal space or boundaries
• Ignoring social norms and customs

Relationships of bad-mannered characters

Here are some ways that being bad-mannered could affect your character's relationships.

• They may struggle with empathy and fail to consider the feelings of others, leading to a lack of trust and difficulty in building meaningful connections.
• Bad-mannered people may also have a sense of entitlement, making it difficult for them to compromise or work collaboratively with others.
• Their behavior may be unpredictable or erratic, causing others to feel on edge or uncomfortable around them.
• Bad-mannered people may have a tendency to be disrespectful or rude to others, which can create tension and conflict in their relationships.
• They may struggle with boundaries, either being overly aggressive or passive in their interactions with others, which can create confusion and tension.

Examples from books of characters who are bad-mannered

• Scarlett O'Hara from "Gone with the Wind" by Margaret Mitchell
• Cathy Ames from "East of Eden" by John Steinbeck
• Humbert Humbert from "Lolita" by Vladimir Nabokov
• Ignatius J. Reilly from "A Confederacy of Dunces" by John Kennedy Toole
• Mr. Darcy from "Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen
• Jay Gatsby from "The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald
• Severus Snape from the "Harry Potter" series by J.K. Rowling
• Holden Caulfield from "The Catcher in the Rye" by J.D. Salinger
• Eustace Scrubb from "The Chronicles of Narnia" by C.S. Lewis

Writing exercises for writing bad-mannered characters

Here are some writing exercises you might try for learning to write bad-mannered characters.

• Show the character speaking loudly or aggressively in public.
• Write a scene where the character is rude to a waiter or service worker.
• Write a scene where the character makes a derogatory comment about someone's appearance or background.
• Show the character ignoring social cues or invading personal space.
• Write a scene where the character refuses to apologize for their behavior or actions.
• Show the character disregarding rules or laws, and justifying their actions as acceptable.
• Write a scene where the character belittles or humiliates someone in front of others.
• Show the character using foul language or inappropriate jokes in inappropriate settings.
• Write a scene where the character interrupts someone else mid-sentence.