Character Trait: Distasteful

To engage your reader, it's important to always show not tell the traits of your characters. The character trait "Distasteful" refers to a person or thing that is unpleasant, offensive, or unappealing. It can describe behavior, attitudes, or physical attributes that are considered disagreeable or offensive to others. A character with this trait might be rude, disrespectful, or insensitive, or they might possess habits or traits that others find off-putting. It's important to note that this trait can be subjective, as what one person finds distasteful may not be the same for another.

Possible causes of being distasteful

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

• Arrogance or a sense of superiority
• Resentment or bitterness towards others
• Mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, or personality disorders
• Substance abuse or addiction
• Negative past experiences or trauma
• Habitual negative thinking or behavior
• Insecurity or low self-esteem
• Lack of self-awareness or introspection
• Lack of empathy or compassion for others

Behaviors associated with being distasteful

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

• Disregarding others' feelings or opinions
• Failing to take responsibility for one's actions or mistakes
• Acting in a dishonest or deceitful manner towards others
• Making offensive or insensitive comments or jokes
• Speaking rudely or disrespectfully to others
• Being selfish or self-centered in interactions with others
• Being judgmental or critical of others without reason
• Acting arrogantly or condescendingly towards others
• Refusing to try new things or be open-minded

Attitudes associated with being distasteful

You may be able to show distasteful through their attitudes.

• Indignation
• Disrespectfulness
• Insensitivity
• Hostility
• Antagonism
• Rudeness
• Arrogance
• Contemptuousness
• Disdainfulness

Thoughts and struggles associated with being distasteful

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

• They may struggle with addiction or other destructive behaviors, such as substance abuse or gambling.
• A Distasteful character may struggle with a sense of superiority over others, believing that they are better than everyone else.
• They may have a lack of empathy or concern for others, viewing them as pawns to be used for their own gain.
• They may have a cynical or negative view of the world, seeing everything as inherently flawed or corrupt.
• They may have a deep-seated fear of vulnerability or intimacy, and may struggle to form genuine connections with others.
• They may struggle with anger or resentment towards others, feeling that they have been wronged or slighted in some way.
• They may have a tendency to manipulate or deceive others in order to get what they want.

Emotions associated with being distasteful

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

• Displeasure
• Abhorrence
• Revulsion
• Aversion
• Disgust
• Antipathy
• Nausea

Facial expressions associated with being distasteful

Here are some facial expressions your distasteful character may exhibit.

• Raised eyebrows with a downward slant
• Curling of the lips
• Twitching of the nose
• Sneering
• Frowning
• Grimacing
• Narrowing of the eyes
• Clenched jaw
• Rolling the eyes

Body language associated with being distasteful

Here is some body language your distasteful character may exhibit.

• Clenched jaw or gritted teeth
• Covering the mouth or nose with a hand or tissue
• Curling the lip or nose in disgust
• Scrunching up the face or wrinkling the forehead
• Shaking the head or rolling the eyes
• Frowning or scowling
• Narrowing the eyes or looking away
• Crossing the arms or turning away from the source of the distastefulness

Behaviors associated with being distasteful

Here are some behaviors your distasteful character may exhibit.

• Refusing to try new things or be open-minded
• Making offensive or insensitive comments or jokes
• Speaking rudely or disrespectfully to others
• Acting arrogantly or condescendingly towards others
• Being judgmental or critical of others without reason
• Being selfish or self-centered in interactions with others
• Failing to take responsibility for one's actions or mistakes
• Disregarding others' feelings or opinions
• Acting in a dishonest or deceitful manner towards others

Growth and evolution of distasteful characters

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

• Building empathy towards others and becoming more considerate and compassionate
• Engaging in self-reflection and introspection to understand the root of their distasteful behavior
• Acknowledging their negative traits and behaviors
• Making efforts to change their behavior and attitudes towards others
• Accepting responsibility for their actions and their impact on others
• Seeking help or guidance from others to overcome their flaws
• Developing new skills and interests that challenge their negative tendencies
• Learning from their mistakes and experiences to improve themselves

Stereotypes of distasteful characters to avoid

Try to avoid writing stereotypical distasteful character like these examples.

• Avoid making Distasteful characters solely motivated by greed or power without exploring deeper motivations or backstories.
• Avoid making Distasteful characters too perfect or flawless, as this can make them unrealistic and unrelatable.
• Avoid making Distasteful characters overly aggressive or violent without proper motivations or reasons.
• Avoid making Distasteful characters one-dimensional or purely evil with no redeeming qualities.
• Avoid using harmful stereotypes such as associating a certain race or gender with a Distasteful trait.
• Avoid portraying Distasteful characters as mentally ill or psychotic without proper research and sensitivity.

Negatives of being distasteful

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

• Missing out on opportunities due to a negative reputation.
• Damaging one's own mental and emotional well-being.
• Hindering social interactions and relationships.
• Being perceived as untrustworthy or unethical.
• Alienating others and creating a sense of discomfort.
• Coming across as rude, insensitive, or offensive.
• Limiting personal growth and development.
• Inviting conflict and confrontation.

Positives of being distasteful

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

• They can be used to explore themes such as morality, ethics, and the consequences of one's actions.
• Distasteful characters can be relatable, as we all have flaws and make mistakes. Seeing a character struggle with their own flaws can be both cathartic and inspiring.
• Distasteful characters can also serve as a foil for other characters, highlighting their strengths and virtues.
• Distasteful characters can be very memorable, as their actions and behavior can be shocking or unexpected.
• They can be used to create tension and conflict, as their behavior may clash with the values of other characters.
• They can be used to challenge stereotypes and societal norms, as they may defy expectations and offer a fresh perspective.
• Distasteful characters can add complexity and depth to a story, making it more interesting for the reader.

Verbal expressions of distasteful characters

Here are some potential expressions used by distasteful characters.

• Crude language
• Rude comments
• Offensive jokes
• Vulgar language
• Insulting remarks
• Harsh criticism
• Inappropriate remarks
• Disrespectful tone
• Hurtful comments

Relationships of distasteful characters

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

• They may be selfish or self-centered, putting their own needs and desires above those of others and showing little consideration or compassion.
• A distasteful person may have a tendency to dominate or control their relationships, often belittling or dismissing the opinions and feelings of others.
• They may be confrontational or aggressive, often picking fights or starting arguments over minor issues.
• They may be deceitful or dishonest, lying or misleading others for their own benefit or to avoid taking responsibility for their actions.
• They may be dismissive or indifferent to the needs and feelings of others, showing little empathy or concern for the well-being of those around them.
• They may be judgmental or critical, constantly finding fault with others and making them feel inadequate or inferior.
• They may be manipulative, using guilt or emotional blackmail to get what they want from others.

Examples from books of characters who are distasteful

• Dolores Umbridge from "Harry Potter and the Order of Phoenix" by J.K. Rowling
• Nurse Ratched from "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" by Ken Kesey
• Patrick Bateman from "American Psycho" by Bret Easton Ellis
• Humbert Humbert from "Lolita" by Vladimir Nabokov
• Iago from "Othello" by William Shakespeare
• Cathy Ames from "East of Eden" by John Steinbeck
• Holden Caulfield from "The Catcher in the Rye" by J.D. Salinger
• Amy Dunne from "Gone Girl" by Gillian Flynn
• Alex from "A Clockwork Orange" by Anthony Burgess

Writing exercises for writing distasteful characters

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

• Consider how the distasteful trait might manifest in different contexts or situations. Write a scene where your character is forced to confront their negative trait in a way that challenges them to grow or change.
• Write a scene from the perspective of a character who is negatively affected by your distasteful character's behavior. How does the distasteful trait impact their relationship?
• Start by brainstorming a list of possible traits that could be considered distasteful (e.g. arrogance, selfishness, dishonesty, etc.)
• Write a scene from the perspective of the distasteful character themselves. Try to show the internal struggle they might experience as a result of their negative trait.
• Write a monologue or internal dialogue from the distasteful character's point of view, exploring the reasons behind their behavior and attitudes.
• Choose one of these traits and create a character who embodies it. Think about how this trait informs their behavior, thoughts, and interactions with others.