165 Mannerisms That Will Bring Your Character to Life

165 Mannerisms That Will Bring Your Character to Life Youve likely heard the expression, show, dont tell when it comes to how to create a story and characters that readers will love. Unique traits, mannerisms, and characteristics play a large role in the process of showing who a character is and giving your reader clues about the characters personality without breaking the narration with writing that tells too much. So how do you use traits, mannerisms, and characteristics effectively? A lot of it has to do with simple observation.The next time you are in a public place and can watch people without being noticed, try to find some traits, mannerisms, and characteristics that set them apart from each other. For example, if you see a couple talking and their arms are around each other lovingly, that immediately tells you about their relationship (that its close). Alternately, if you see a couple and one has his/her arms crossed and wont make eye contact, that is a show of discomfort in the relationship. You can read all of these things sim ply by watching someone.In the same sense, if you want to create a character who has social anxiety, instead of telling your readers about the issue, show them instead. Have your character stand in a corner at a party and look uncomfortable. Have him/her imbibing alcohol at a social event to try to feel more relaxed and comfortable around so many people. There are so many traits, mannerisms, and characteristics you can use to relay intimate details about your character without telling your reader more than you should.With that in mind, here is a list of over 600 character traits and quirks to help you build characterization in your novel.Convincing mannerisms help bring your characters to life on the page. Photo by Fernanda Marin on Unsplash.Someone who is lying or not telling the whole truthBlinks oftenLooks to the left oftenChanges tone of voice at odd pointsPauses while speaking a lotOffers unnecessary detailsRubbing nosePointing a fingerBody language doesnt match words spokenSwe ats excessivelyTouches nose a lotSomeone who is scared, angry, nervous and/or has social anxietyClenches jawSwallows constantlyCompulsively scratches noseCompulsively scratches nape of neckArms crossed defensivelyCrosses arms while holding elbowsChain smokesWear a sweater/jacket/coat at all timesChews on lipsChews on fingernailsCant eat around a strangerAlways carries a gunLocked anklesHands clasped behind backConstantly swallowingNostrils flareEyes that dart around a lotFlexing fingersKnees knockingPicks at cuticles and skin around the fingernailsPaces back and forthBreathes heavilySomeone who is in loveWhistles while walkingSmiles a lotHolds significant other closeDisplays physical affection often with anotherBlushes a lotFluttering eyelidsWhispers into anothers ear oftenProlonged eye contactWipes clammy handsOblivious to everyone except one personTwirls hair absentmindedly while speaking to their belovedIs sleeplessLoses appetiteEnjoys sappy love songs played on the radioWants to meet friends and familyCalls their beloved first when theres bad newsConstantly checks phoneSomeone who is a musicianBeats on surfaces with hands and/or fingersTalks about obscure music artistsSeems to zone out when music is playingPoints out when a song is off-keyCloses eyes briefly when music is heardHums/sings to self oftenStops to listen to all street musiciansSomeone who is confidentHolds eye contact when interactingWalks with erect postureWalks with purpose while looking forwardKeeps shoulders back and downStands with feet apartStands too close to othersHas a hero complexTalks loudlyWears bright red lipstickWears vivid, loud colorsHands clasped behind headCracking knucklesInterrupts others when passionate about the topicStands out among a crowdRemains sober at partiesSomeone who is shy and/or lacking confidenceLooks down when walkingWears hats consistentlyWears headphones or hats oftenCannot maintain eye contactStands with feet togetherHugs arms around himself/herselfAvoids l ooking at self in the mirrorKeeps hands in pockets while walking/sittingHates sitting near a strangerApologizes oftenWears sleeves long with thumb holes to cover lower part of palmWears a scarf oftenPats/fixes hair constantlyClears throat a lotMumblesSpeaks softlyApologizes a lotWears dark or muted colorsLaughs to fill uncomfortable silencesSomeone who is boredYawns a lotRests head in handsStares in the distanceTaps fingernails on surfaceRolls eyesClasps and unclasps fingers togetherPlays with index fingerToys with ringsPicks at nailsFoot kicking slightlyDoodles absentmindedlyTwiddling thumbsSomeone who enjoys humorWears multiple pins with odd sayingsLaughs a lotTells jokes to anyone who will listenHas oddball sayingsNever dresses to fit the occasionWears clothing with cartoon figuresWears clothing with sarcastic sayingsGrins sidewaysPunches people in their arm (jokingly) to get them to lighten upSomeone who is narcissistic, elitist, and/or materialisticLooks at self in mirror often Refuses to eat non-gourmet foodAlways has perfectly manicured nailsWears expensive name-brand clothing/shoesShows off expensive jewelryTells everyone how much he/she paid for somethingLoudly points out faults in othersNever says please or thank youIs disrespectful to waiters/waitressesWaits for someone else to do simple tasks instead of doing it himself/herselfRaises eyebrow often while others are talkingTosses hairTakes a lot of selfiesSomeone who is uptight and/or sternWears hair in a tight bunPinches lips together tightlyLooks down nose at everyoneCrosses legs while sittingRarely smilesOnly drinks gourmet tea for a caffeine fixStands with hands on hipsSomeone who is eruditeQuotes famous peopleQuotes well-known literary worksOver enunciatesSmokes a pipeUses phrases like did you know that?Drinks brandy out of a snifterWears a cravatTakes glasses off and cleans themSpeaks multiple languagesScoffs under breath about things taking placeSomeone who is organized and/or focusedTilts head to the side when listeningIs wide-eyed and intenseMoves quickly from one task to anotherMakes multiple to-do listsWears perfectly coordinated clothingLooks at watch oftenSteeples handsRocking back and forth on heelsSomeone who is disorganized and/or unfocusedHas unkempt hairIs always lateWears mismatched clothingWears clothing with stainsAlways loses track of timeScrambles around franticallyStares into the distance oftenSomeone who is frustratedShakes head while looking upwardMakes a tsk noiseRolls eyesClenches fistRolls eyesExhales sharplyPuts fingers to forehead while shaking headDraws in a deep breath and exhales slowlySays ha! in a sarcastic tone