Character Trait: Boorish

To engage your reader, it's important to always show not tell the traits of your characters. Boorish is a negative character trait that refers to someone who is rude, insensitive, and lacking in manners or social graces. A boorish person may behave in an impolite or offensive way, disregarding the feelings or needs of others. They may also be loud, vulgar, or crass, and have a tendency to dominate conversations or interrupt others. Overall, boorishness is a character trait that can make a character unlikable and difficult to relate to.

Possible causes of being boorish

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

• Poor communication skills
• Insecurity or low self-esteem
• Lack of empathy or emotional intelligence
• Cultural or societal norms that prioritize aggressiveness or dominance
• Childhood experiences or trauma
• Mental health issues such as narcissism or antisocial personality disorder
• Substance abuse or addiction
• Learned behavior from negative role models or peers

For detailed feedback on boorish characters and other aspects of your writing, try ProWritingAid's narrative evaluation tool.

Behaviors associated with being boorish

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

• Behaving selfishly or arrogantly
• Making offensive jokes or comments
• Refusing to listen to others' opinions or perspectives
• Being insensitive or inappropriate in conversations
• Interrupting others while they are speaking
• Ignoring social cues or personal boundaries
• Being rude or disrespectful towards people in service roles
• Showing a lack of manners or consideration for others' feelings
• Talking loudly or obnoxiously in public spaces

Attitudes associated with being boorish

You may be able to show boorish through their attitudes.

• Ignorance
• Self-centeredness
• Lack of empathy
• Inconsiderateness
• Rudeness
• Insensitivity
• Crassness
• Disrespectfulness
• Arrogance

Thoughts and struggles associated with being boorish

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

• They may also struggle with self-awareness, failing to recognize the impact of their behavior on those around them.
• They may have a sense of entitlement, believing that they are above the rules or that their needs and desires should always come first.
• Boorish characters may have difficulty forming meaningful relationships due to their abrasive behavior and lack of social skills.
• Boorish characters may feel misunderstood or unfairly judged by others, leading to feelings of resentment or defensiveness.
• They may also have a tendency to be blunt or tactless, saying whatever comes to mind without considering how it might be received by others.
• Boorish characters often lack social grace and may have difficulty reading social cues, leading to misunderstandings and conflict.
• Boorish characters may also struggle with empathy, failing to understand or care about the feelings of others.
• Boorish characters may struggle with impulse control, acting before thinking through the consequences of their actions.
• They may struggle with anger management, becoming easily frustrated or aggressive when they don't get their way.

Emotions associated with being boorish

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

• Disrespect
• Ignorance
• Inability to listen
• Insensitivity
• Self-centeredness
• Lack of grace
• Intolerance
• Bad manners
• Arrogance
• Impulsivity
• Rudeness
• Lack of empathy
• Coarseness
• Crass behavior
• Impatience
• Indecency
• Obnoxiousness
• Inconsideration

Facial expressions associated with being boorish

Here are some facial expressions your boorish character may exhibit.

• Sneering
• Smirking
• Puckering the lips
• Frowning
• Scowling
• Rolling the eyes
• Squinting
• Grimacing

Body language associated with being boorish

Here is some body language your boorish character may exhibit.

• Interrupting others while they speak
• Ignoring social cues or personal boundaries
• Displaying a lack of manners or respect for others
• Refusing to listen to others or consider their opinions
• Making inappropriate gestures or facial expressions
• Using insulting or offensive language
• Speaking loudly or aggressively
• Standing too close to others
• Fidgeting or being physically restless in a way that distracts others

For detailed feedback on boorish characters and other aspects of your writing, try ProWritingAid's narrative evaluation tool.

Behaviors associated with being boorish

Here are some behaviors your boorish character may exhibit.

• Being insensitive or inappropriate in conversations
• Ignoring social cues or personal boundaries
• Being rude or disrespectful towards people in service roles
• Showing a lack of manners or consideration for others' feelings
• Interrupting others while they are speaking
• Talking loudly or obnoxiously in public spaces
• Behaving selfishly or arrogantly
• Refusing to listen to others' opinions or perspectives
• Making offensive jokes or comments

Growth and evolution of boorish characters

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

• Listen to feedback: Boorish characters should listen to feedback from others. They can learn from constructive criticism and apply it to their behavior.
• Apologize and make amends: If a boorish character has hurt someone, they should apologize and try to make things right. It shows that they are taking responsibility for their actions.
• Acknowledge their behavior: The first step for a boorish character to grow is to recognize their behavior. They should realize that their actions are hurting others and try to change.
• Face consequences: Boorish characters may face consequences for their behavior. They should face them without blaming others or making excuses.
• Practice self-control: Boorish characters often act impulsively. They should learn to control their emotions and think before they act.
• Learn empathy: Boorish characters often lack empathy. They should learn to put themselves in other people's shoes to understand their feelings and perspectives.
• Develop new habits: Boorish characters can develop new habits to replace their old ones. For example, they can learn to speak more kindly, practice active listening, and show gratitude.

Stereotypes of boorish characters to avoid

Try to avoid writing stereotypical boorish character like these examples.

• Making inappropriate or offensive comments
• Being insensitive or inconsiderate towards others' feelings or needs
• Failing to show basic manners or respect towards others
• Being overly aggressive or confrontational in conversations or interactions
• Refusing to listen to others' opinions or perspectives
• Being rude or dismissive towards people they consider beneath them
• Constantly interrupting others when they speak
• Acting entitled or superior towards others
• Disregarding social norms or etiquette

Negatives of being boorish

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

• Boorish behavior often involves being rude, insensitive, or offensive to others.
• Boorishness may result in a reputation for being unapproachable, difficult to work with, or unpleasant to be around.
• Boorishness can also manifest in a lack of social skills or awareness, leading to awkward or uncomfortable interactions with others.
• Boorish individuals may lack empathy or consideration for others' feelings and perspectives.

Positives of being boorish

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

• Boorish characters can add a unique perspective to a story, as they often have a blunt and unapologetic way of speaking their minds.
• Boorish characters can be humorous, making readers laugh at their inappropriate comments or actions.
• Boorish characters can also be used to show character growth, as they may learn to become more considerate or tactful over the course of the story.
• Boorish characters can serve as a foil to more refined or polite characters, highlighting the differences between them and creating tension in the story.

Verbal expressions of boorish characters

Here are some potential expressions used by boorish characters.

• Belittling or insulting others
• Bragging or boasting excessively
• Acting selfishly or without consideration for others
• Ignoring social cues or boundaries
• Talking loudly or aggressively
• Interrupting others while they speak
• Using offensive language or making insensitive jokes
• Refusing to apologize for mistakes or wrongdoing

Relationships of boorish characters

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

• They may have a tendency to interrupt others or talk over them, displaying a lack of consideration for others' opinions.
• Boorish people may struggle to empathize with others or understand their perspectives, leading to a lack of emotional connection in their relationships.
• They may act rudely or disrespectfully towards others, particularly those they perceive as being beneath them.
• They may be quick to anger or become defensive when challenged or criticized, making it difficult to have constructive conversations.
• Boorish people often have a tendency to dominate conversations and belittle others.
• Boorish individuals may struggle to maintain healthy relationships, as they may be more focused on their own needs and desires rather than the needs of others.

Examples from books of characters who are boorish

• Mr. Collins from Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
• Heathcliff from Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte
• Uriah Heep from David Copperfield by Charles Dickens
• Dolores Umbridge from Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling
• Count Fosco from The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins
• Lady Catherine de Bourgh from Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
• Tom Buchanan from The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
• Catherine Earnshaw from Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte
• Vernon Dursley from Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling

Writing exercises for writing boorish characters

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

• Write a scene in which the character interrupts someone repeatedly, not allowing them to speak.
• Describe a situation in which the character invades someone's personal space, perhaps standing too close or touching them without permission.
• Describe a situation in which the character is physically aggressive or violent towards someone else.
• Write a scene in which the character is dismissive of someone's feelings or opinions.
• Create a dialogue in which the character makes inappropriate jokes or uses vulgar language.
• Describe a situation in which the character is impatient and rude to a service industry worker, such as a waiter or cashier.
• Write a scene in which the character makes a rude comment about someone's appearance or clothing.
• Create a dialogue in which the character belittles someone else's interests or hobbies.
• Create a dialogue in which the character talks loudly and dominates the conversation, not allowing others to get a word in.