Character Trait: Crass

To engage your reader, it's important to always show not tell the traits of your characters. The character trait "crass" refers to someone who is lacking in sensitivity, refinement or class. A crass person is often seen as rude, vulgar, and lacking in social grace and manners. They may say or do things that are offensive or inappropriate without realizing the impact of their words or actions. It is important for writers to understand the nuances of this trait and use it carefully when creating characters, as it can easily become a caricature if overdone.

Possible causes of being crass

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

• Negative experiences or failures that led to bitterness and cynicism
• Narcissistic tendencies or a desire for attention and power
• Social or economic insecurity that causes a defensive attitude towards others
• Trauma or abuse in childhood that led to a defensive and aggressive personality
• Upbringing in a family or community that values aggression and dominance
• Lack of empathy or consideration for others
• Influence of media or cultural norms that promote crass behavior
• Inability to regulate emotions or impulses
• Lack of self-awareness or emotional intelligence

For detailed feedback on crass characters and other aspects of your writing, try ProWritingAid's narrative quality assessment.

Behaviors associated with being crass

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

• Using profanity frequently and in inappropriate settings
• Ignoring social norms and etiquette
• Making insensitive jokes or remarks
• Speaking loudly and without consideration for others
• Making rude or offensive comments about others
• Belittling or insulting others to boost one's own ego
• Being confrontational or aggressive in interactions with others
• Behaving in a vulgar or indecent manner
• Showing no tact or sensitivity in conversations

Attitudes associated with being crass

You may be able to show crass through their attitudes.

• Insensitivity
• Rudeness
• Coarseness
• Indelicacy
• Bluntness
• Vulgarity
• Offensiveness
• Lack of refinement
• Impoliteness

Thoughts and struggles associated with being crass

Here are some ideas for things your crass character may think or struggle with.

• A crass character may also struggle with authority figures or rules that they perceive as unnecessary or infringing on their freedom.
• They may have a tendency to prioritize their own desires and needs above others, leading to selfish behavior.
• A crass character may struggle with expressing their emotions in a socially acceptable manner, often resorting to rude or offensive language.
• Due to their blunt nature, they may struggle with building and maintaining relationships, as others may find their behavior off-putting or hurtful.
• They may have a history of being misunderstood or ostracized, leading to a defensive attitude towards others.
• They may have a fear of vulnerability and use crass language as a defense mechanism to avoid opening up emotionally.

Emotions associated with being crass

Here are some ideas for emotions your crass character may experience.

• Rudeness
• Bluntness
• Offensiveness
• Coarseness
• Lack of tact
• Insensitivity
• Vulgarity
• Indecency
• Impoliteness

Facial expressions associated with being crass

Here are some facial expressions your crass character may exhibit.

• Squinting the eyes in a suspicious or critical manner
• Pouting or puckering the lips in displeasure
• Staring or glaring intensely at someone
• Clenching or grinding the teeth in frustration or anger
• Smirking or grinning smugly
• Sneering or curling the upper lip
• Rolling the eyes in a dismissive manner
• Frowning or scowling in disapproval
• Raising one eyebrow in a condescending way

Body language associated with being crass

Here is some body language your crass character may exhibit.

• Talking with their mouth full or making loud chewing noises
• Making insensitive or offensive comments about others' appearance, beliefs, or personal lives
• Interrupting or talking over others
• Rolling eyes or making exaggerated facial expressions
• Using coarse or vulgar language
• Making inappropriate gestures or using aggressive body language
• Slouching or leaning heavily on one foot
• Invading personal space

For detailed feedback on crass characters and other aspects of your writing, try ProWritingAid's narrative quality assessment.

Behaviors associated with being crass

Here are some behaviors your crass character may exhibit.

• Ignoring social norms and etiquette
• Speaking loudly and without consideration for others
• Using profanity frequently and in inappropriate settings
• Being confrontational or aggressive in interactions with others
• Making rude or offensive comments about others
• Showing no tact or sensitivity in conversations
• Belittling or insulting others to boost one's own ego
• Behaving in a vulgar or indecent manner
• Making insensitive jokes or remarks

Growth and evolution of crass characters

Here are some ways that your crass character may grow and evolve over time.

• Understanding the value of personal growth and actively working towards self-improvement.
• Realizing the negative impact of their behavior on others and actively working to change it.
• Developing a sense of self-awareness and recognizing their own flaws and biases.
• Forming meaningful relationships and learning to value them over material possessions or superficial traits.
• Learning to empathize with others and becoming more considerate of their feelings.
• Becoming more open-minded and willing to consider different perspectives and ideas.
• Acknowledging their own limitations and seeking help or support when needed.
• Learning to communicate effectively and respectfully with others.
• Recognizing the importance of teamwork and collaboration, and being willing to compromise for the greater good.

Stereotypes of crass characters to avoid

Try to avoid writing stereotypical crass character like these examples.

• Being careless and reckless with their actions and words, not considering the consequences
• Being selfish and only caring about themselves and their own desires
• Being rude or disrespectful to everyone they meet
• Being overly sexual or making inappropriate comments or gestures towards others
• Being uneducated or ignorant, lacking knowledge or curiosity about the world around them
• Being greedy and materialistic, only valuing money and possessions
• Being overly aggressive or violent towards others
• Being untrustworthy and deceitful, constantly lying or manipulating others for their own gain.
• Using foul language constantly without any reason or purpose

Remember, it's important to create well-rounded characters with depth and complexity, even if they possess crass traits. Avoiding these stereotypes can help you create more interesting and believable characters.

Negatives of being crass

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

• They may come across as rude, disrespectful, or abrasive in their communication.
• Crass behavior can be off-putting to others, leading to strained relationships.
• They may struggle to form meaningful connections or maintain friendships due to their behavior.
• Crass individuals may have difficulty in professional settings where diplomacy and tact are valued.
• Their behavior can be seen as unprofessional or inappropriate in certain contexts.
• Crass individuals often lack tact and consideration for others' feelings.
• Crass individuals may struggle to empathize with others or see things from different perspectives.

Positives of being crass

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

• Being straightforward and honest
• Being able to live life on your own terms
• Being able to challenge authority and conventional wisdom
• Being confident and assertive
• Being able to bring humor and levity to serious situations
• Being unapologetic and unafraid to speak your mind
• Being able to stand up for yourself and others
• Being able to cut through social norms and expectations

Verbal expressions of crass characters

Here are some potential expressions used by crass characters.

• Being tactless or lacking in social grace
• Speaking loudly and aggressively
• Using excessive sarcasm or cynicism
• Insulting or belittling others
• Using vulgar or offensive language
• Focusing on crude or sexual topics
• Interrupting or talking over others
• Being confrontational or argumentative
• Making insensitive jokes or comments

Relationships of crass characters

Here are some ways that being crass could affect your character's relationships.

• Crass people may also be confrontational, always looking for an argument or a way to prove themselves right.
• Crass people may have a tendency to be rude or insensitive in their interactions with others.
• In some cases, crass individuals may be viewed as bullies or aggressors, using their behavior to intimidate or control others.
• They might have a lack of empathy or consideration for other people's feelings, often putting their own needs or desires first.
• Crass people might also be seen as selfish or egocentric, always seeking attention or validation from others without considering how their actions might affect those around them.
• They may struggle to form deep or meaningful connections with others, as their behavior can push people away or make them feel uncomfortable.

Examples from books of characters who are crass

• Holden Caulfield from "The Catcher in the Rye" by J.D. Salinger
• Humbert Humbert from "Lolita" by Vladimir Nabokov
• Ignatius J. Reilly from "A Confederacy of Dunces" by John Kennedy Toole
• Tyler Durden from "Fight Club" by Chuck Palahniuk
• Severus Snape from the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling
• Patrick Bateman from "American Psycho" by Bret Easton Ellis
• Nurse Ratched from "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" by Ken Kesey
• Alex from "A Clockwork Orange" by Anthony Burgess
• Scarlett O'Hara from "Gone with the Wind" by Margaret Mitchell

Writing exercises for writing crass characters

Here are some writing exercises you might try for learning to write crass characters.

• Think about how the character speaks and behaves. Do they use vulgar language or make inappropriate jokes? Do they have poor manners or lack social graces?
• Explore the consequences of the character's Crass behavior. How do other characters react to it? Do they face any negative repercussions?
• Consider the character's background and upbringing. How might their upbringing have influenced the development of their Crass trait?
• Start by researching and understanding what the Crass trait entails. Look for examples of real-life people or fictional characters who exhibit this trait.
• Write a scene where the character must confront their Crass behavior and try to change it. How do they react? Do they succeed or fail?
• Create scenarios where the character's Crass trait is on full display. This could be in a social setting, at work, or in a personal relationship.