Character Trait: Gross

To engage your reader, it's important to always show not tell the traits of your characters. The character trait "gross" can refer to a person who is offensive or disgusting in their behavior, appearance, or habits. It can also describe someone who lacks taste or refinement, or who is insensitive to social norms and expectations. When writing a character with this trait, it's important to consider how their gross behavior or attitudes affect those around them and how it contributes to the story's overall themes and conflicts.

Possible causes of being gross

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

• Mental health issues such as narcissistic personality disorder or antisocial personality disorder
• Trauma or negative life experiences
• Overindulgence in vices such as drugs or alcohol
• Inability to empathize with others
• Lack of emotional intelligence
• Poor upbringing or lack of positive role models
• Belief in superiority or entitlement
• Lack of self-awareness or self-reflection

Behaviors associated with being gross

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

• Not washing hands after using the bathroom
• Not showering regularly
• Picking one's nose or scratching private parts in public
• Burping or farting in public
• Talking with food in one's mouth
• Leaving dirty dishes or garbage lying around
• Being rude or disrespectful to others
• Spitting in public
• Littering or not cleaning up after oneself
• Wearing dirty or smelly clothes
• Eating with one's mouth open

Attitudes associated with being gross

You may be able to show gross through their attitudes.

• Embracing the unconventional or unconventional beauty
• Insensitivity to others' disgust or discomfort
• Willingness to engage in socially taboo behaviors
• Tendency to prioritize pleasure over propriety
• Disregard for societal norms and expectations
• Lack of concern for cleanliness and hygiene
• Lack of shame or embarrassment
• Enjoyment of bodily functions and fluids

Thoughts and struggles associated with being gross

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

• They may have a desire to shock or disgust others, leading to inappropriate behavior or language.
• They may feel shame or embarrassment about their gross habits but feel unable to change them.
• They may struggle with impulse control, leading to impulsive behaviors such as picking their nose or farting in public.
• They may feel self-conscious about their appearance or body odor, causing them to avoid social interactions.
• They may struggle with relationships and intimacy due to their gross habits and behaviors.
• A gross character may struggle with their own hygiene and self-care habits.
• They may have a fascination with bodily functions and find humor in things that others find repulsive.

Emotions associated with being gross

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

• Abhorrence
• Nausea
• Disgust
• Contempt
• Disdain
• Revulsion
• Loathing
• Repulsion
• Horror

Facial expressions associated with being gross

Here are some facial expressions your gross character may exhibit.

• Gagging or retching
• Squinted eyes
• Disgusted frown
• Wrinkled nose
• Tongue sticking out
• Raised upper lip
• Covering mouth or nose with hand

Body language associated with being gross

Here is some body language your gross character may exhibit.

• Scratching or picking at skin, hair, or nails
• Spitting or blowing nose without tissue or handkerchief
• Eating with mouth open or making loud eating noises
• Burping, belching, or passing gas without regard for others
• Touching or picking at private areas in public
• Fidgeting or squirming excessively
• Licking fingers or utensils while eating
• Not washing hands after using the bathroom or before handling food
• Not covering mouth when coughing or sneezing

Behaviors associated with being gross

Here are some behaviors your gross character may exhibit.

• Burping or farting in public
• Not washing hands after using the bathroom
• Littering or not cleaning up after oneself
• Not showering regularly
• Wearing dirty or smelly clothes
• Spitting in public
• Picking one's nose or scratching private parts in public
• Eating with one's mouth open
• Being rude or disrespectful to others
• Leaving dirty dishes or garbage lying around
• Talking with food in one's mouth

Growth and evolution of gross characters

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

• Learning to see the world from different perspectives and becoming more open-minded
• Developing stronger moral principles and values
• Learning to empathize with others and becoming more compassionate
• Letting go of past traumas and moving towards healing and forgiveness
• Overcoming their fears and learning to be more courageous
• Becoming more self-aware and reflective, leading to personal growth
• Developing stronger relationships with others and learning to trust more
• Recognizing their flaws and working to overcome them

Stereotypes of gross characters to avoid

Try to avoid writing stereotypical gross character like these examples.

• Excessive flatulence or burping
• Obsessive nose-picking or ear wax digging
• Rude or offensive language or behavior
• Lack of self-awareness or self-control
• Lack of manners or etiquette
• Poor personal hygiene
• Spitting or coughing without covering mouth
• Hoarding or collecting garbage or other unsanitary items
• Eating with mouth open or talking with food in mouth

Negatives of being gross

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

• Unhealthy eating habits and excessive consumption of junk food
• Disrespectful and rude communication
• Unpleasant body odor
• Lack of consideration for others' feelings and boundaries
• Messy and unorganized living space
• Disgusting personal hygiene
• Inappropriate and offensive behavior
• Poor grooming and unflattering appearance
• Lack of self-awareness and accountability for one's actions

Positives of being gross

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

• Gross characters can add humor and comedic relief to a story.
• Being gross can be a way for characters to stand out and be memorable to readers.
• A character's gross behavior or habits can be used as a plot device, leading to interesting and unexpected story developments.
• Grossness can be a way for characters to rebel against societal norms and expectations.
• Grossness can be used to highlight a character's flaws, making them more relatable and human.
• Characters with a gross trait can be more complex and multidimensional than those without it.

Verbal expressions of gross characters

Here are some potential expressions used by gross characters.

• Burping without covering their mouth
• Farting frequently
• Talking with food in their mouth
• Using offensive body language
• Spitting in public
• Using vulgar language
• Belching loudly
• Making crude jokes
• Making inappropriate comments

Relationships of gross characters

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

• Gross people might have strained relationships with others due to their lack of personal hygiene or cleanliness habits.
• Gross people might have a hard time making friends or building romantic relationships due to their unappealing personal traits.
• They might be perceived as inconsiderate or disrespectful by others who are easily grossed out by their behavior or habits.
• They might be seen as unprofessional in work settings, which could impact their career advancement opportunities.
• Gross people might attract others who share similar tendencies or who find their behavior amusing or entertaining.

Examples from books of characters who are gross

• Cathy Ames from "East of Eden" by John Steinbeck
• Humbert Humbert from "Lolita" by Vladimir Nabokov
• Count Dracula from "Dracula" by Bram Stoker
• Nurse Ratched from "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" by Ken Kesey
• Sauron from "The Lord of the Rings" by J.R.R. Tolkien
• Frank Booth from "Blue Velvet" by David Lynch
• Patrick Bateman from "American Psycho" by Bret Easton Ellis
• Hannibal Lecter from "The Silence of the Lambs" by Thomas Harris
• Voldemort from the "Harry Potter" series by J.K. Rowling

Writing exercises for writing gross characters

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

• Start by brainstorming a list of physical attributes or habits that could be associated with the Gross trait, such as spitting, belching, picking one's nose, or having poor hygiene.
• Use sensory details to immerse the reader in the character's Gross trait. Describe the sights, sounds, and smells associated with the character's behavior, and how it affects those around them.
• Practice writing scenes or dialogue that highlight the Gross trait. For example, you could write a scene where the character is eating in a public place and makes a scene with their loud chewing and messy eating habits.
• Consider how the Gross trait might manifest in the character's behavior or interactions with others. For example, perhaps they make inappropriate jokes or comments, or they have no regard for personal space.
• Experiment with different perspectives to see how the Gross trait might be perceived differently by different characters. For example, a character who is attracted to the Gross character might find their behavior endearing, while someone who is repulsed by the Gross trait might find it unbearable to be around them.
• Think about the character's backstory and how it might have contributed to their Gross trait. Did they grow up in an environment where these behaviors were normalized or even encouraged? Or did they develop the trait as a defense mechanism to keep people at a distance?