Emotion: Tolerance

When you want to write the emotion tolerance, it's important to "show" the emotion your character is experiencing through their physical reactions and dialogue, rather than "tell" it. In this article we provide you with inspiration so you can avoid emotion tells and immerse your readers in your story.

Tolerance is the ability to accept and endure something or someone that is different, unfamiliar, or challenging without experiencing negative emotions such as anger, frustration, or resentment. It involves being open-minded, patient, and non-judgmental towards others, despite their differences in beliefs, values, or behaviors. Tolerance requires a willingness to understand and appreciate diversity, and to respect the rights and opinions of others. In writing, a character who demonstrates tolerance can be portrayed as compassionate, empathetic, and mature.

Different Types of Tolerance

Here are some different types of tolerance:

• Cultural tolerance
• Religious tolerance
• Political tolerance
• Social tolerance
• Racial tolerance
• Sexual orientation tolerance
• Gender identity tolerance
• Age tolerance
• Disability tolerance
• Language tolerance
• Ideological tolerance
• Lifestyle tolerance
• Personality tolerance
• Opinion tolerance

Situations Associated with Tolerance

Here are some situations where a character might experience the emotion of tolerance:

• Being in a diverse community or environment where different beliefs and cultures are present
• Interacting with individuals who hold opposing views or values
• Being exposed to different lifestyles or ways of living
• Engaging in activities or events that challenge one's beliefs or biases
• Being part of a team or group that has diverse members
• Working in a customer service or hospitality industry where patience and understanding are required
• Dealing with difficult or challenging situations that require a calm and level-headed approach

Physical Reactions to Tolerance

Here are some physical reactions a character experiencing tolerance might have:

• Open body posture
• Relaxed facial expressions
• Calm and even tone of voice
• Willingness to listen and understand different perspectives
• Patient and non-judgmental attitude towards others
• Ability to control emotional reactions and remain composed in challenging situations
• Empathy and compassion towards others
• Flexibility and adaptability in changing circumstances
• Willingness to compromise and find common ground

Thoughts Associated with Tolerance

Here are some thoughts a character experiencing tolerance might have:

• Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, I don't have to agree with it, but I'll respect it.
• I can understand why they feel that way, but it doesn't mean I have to feel the same.
• I'll give them the benefit of the doubt, maybe they're just having a bad day.
• It's not worth getting upset over, I'll just let it slide.
• I'll try to see things from their perspective and find a common ground.
• I won't let their behavior affect my own attitude and actions.
• I'll remain calm and composed, even if they're being difficult.
• It's important to embrace diversity and differences, it makes the world a more interesting place.
• I'll use this opportunity to practice patience and empathy.

Atmosphere of Tolerance

Here are some ways that you might reflect the emotion of tolerance in the atmosphere of your scene:

• Choose a diverse cast of characters with different beliefs, backgrounds, and lifestyles, and show them interacting in a respectful and accepting way.
• Describe the environment in a way that promotes inclusivity, such as a community center, a park, a festival, or a peaceful protest.
• Use metaphors or symbols that represent tolerance, such as a rainbow, a handshake, a bridge, or a melting pot.
• Show characters overcoming their prejudices or biases and learning to appreciate each other's differences.
• Create a conflict that tests the characters' tolerance, and show them resolving it through empathy, communication, or compromise.
• Use dialogue that avoids stereotypes, slurs, or offensive language, and promotes open-mindedness and understanding.
• Show characters standing up for each other's rights and defending each other against discrimination or hate speech.

Verbs Associated with Tolerance

Here are some verbs commonly associated with the emotion of tolerance:

• Accept
• Accommodate
• Appreciate
• Bear
• Endure
• Forgive
• Respect
• Understand
• Embrace
• Cooperate
• Include
• Welcome
• Adapt
• Compromise
• Allow
• Listen
• Empathize
• Support
• Tolerate

Emotions Before Tolerance

Here are some emotions that may come before a character experiences tolerance:

• Intolerance
• Disgust
• Anger
• Frustration
• Annoyance
• Impatience
• Irritation
• Hatred
• Bigotry

Emotions After Tolerance

Here are some emotions that may come after a character experiences tolerance:

• Acceptance
• Understanding
• Empathy
• Compassion
• Open-mindedness
• Respect
• Appreciation
• Inclusivity
• Harmony

Telling Tolerance Examples to Avoid

Here are some examples of telling the emotion tolerance in a sentence. You should avoid things like this:

• John was a very tolerant man.
• Even though she didn't agree with his beliefs, Sarah was willing to tolerate them.
• The teacher reminded the students to be tolerant of each other's differences.
• Despite their cultural differences, the neighbors learned to tolerate and respect each other.

Practical Examples of Showing Tolerance

Here are some examples of showing tolerance in a sentence:

• Despite their different perspectives, the two characters managed to have a civil conversation without resorting to insults or anger.
• The protagonist listened patiently to their friend's viewpoint, even though it clashed with their own beliefs.
• In a moment of frustration, the character took a deep breath and reminded themselves to be open-minded and accepting of others.
• When faced with a challenge, the character refused to give up and instead worked hard to find a solution that respected everyone's needs.

Exercises for Showing Tolerance

Here are some writing exercises to practice showing tolerance:

• Start by defining what tolerance means for your character. Is it the ability to accept others' differences, to be patient with someone's shortcomings, or to be open to new ideas or beliefs?
• Think of a situation where your character might encounter something or someone that challenges their tolerance. It could be a clash of cultures, a political debate, or a personal disagreement.
• Write a scene where your character is faced with this challenge. Show their initial reaction and how they deal with their emotions. Do they get defensive, angry, or try to avoid the situation altogether?
• Use dialogue to convey your character's thoughts and feelings about the situation. How do they express their tolerance or lack thereof? How do they react to others' opinions?
• Show how your character's tolerance evolves throughout the story. Do they learn something new about themselves or others? Do they become more open-minded or less so?
• Consider the consequences of your character's actions. How do they affect others around them? Are there any unintended consequences of their lack of tolerance?
• Use sensory details to enhance your scenes. What does your character see, hear, smell, taste, and feel in the situation? How does this affect their emotions and reactions?

Want more help with showing emotion instead of telling? You find more help in our full emotional thesaurus.