Hands Which Cannot Write

The Ultimate List of 150+ Character Mannerisms

The Ultimate List of 150+ Character Mannerisms

— reedsy

Note: I published this on Pian Pian at ngayon ko lang na-realize na it's not supposed to be there at dapat nandito. Sorry!

If you’re struggling to come up with mannerisms for your character, here are over 150 to give you a headstart.

— Speech Mannerisms —

—Uses a falling inflection
—Ends sentences with question marks
—Speaks in a whisper
—Always talks over others
—Tendency to mumble
—Slurs words, even when sober
—Has a sing-song speech pattern
—Shortness of breath from talking too fast
—Unnecessary or exaggerated throat clearing
—Deep breaths between every sentence
—Constantly swallowing when nervous
—Heavy reliance on buffer words: “Like,” “Um,” “Uh,” “Totally,” “Basically,” “You know”

Characteristic Noises

—Whistling
—Humming
—Sighing
—Stuttering
—Coughing
—Scoffing
—Laughter to fill in uncomfortable silences
—Muttering to oneself
—Noisy breathing
—“Sorry”
—“Tsk”
—“God”

Physical Mannerisms

   1) Head

—Tilting head in thought
—Hair tossing
—Hair playing or twirling when flirting
—Head bobbing while listening to music
—Grinding teeth
—Scratching the head
—Flaring nostrils
—Rubbing the neck when embarrassed
—Raised eyebrows
—Head on the chin in resting position
—Jaw clenching in moments of tension
—Sweating excessively
—Quivering chin
—Jutted chin
—Nose twitching or wrinkling

    2) Mouth

—Smacking lips in satisfaction
—Mouthing the lyrics of a song
—Licking the lips when nervous
—Sticking out the tongue while thinking
—Counting teeth with the tongue when distracted
—Biting the bottom lip
—Pulling at the bottom lip
—Biting the inside of the cheek
—Movement of the mouth: quivering, curling, pursed, twitching, tensed

    3) Eyes

—Sideways glance
—Likes to wink
—Fluttering eyelids
—Tendency to look down one’s nose
—Eyes that dart everywhere
—Tendency to avoid eye contact
—Always breaking eye contact
—Prolonged eye contact in conversation
—Looking down at feet while walking
—Rapid blinking when lying
—Frequently gazes off into space
—Has a thousand-yard stare
—Furrowed or knitted brows
—Movement of the eyes: rolling, squinting, twitching
—Description of the eyes: wide, glassy, crossed, dilated, narrowed

   4) Hands

—Movement of the index finger: pointing, jabbing downwards, stabbing in the air
—Snapping fingers
—Arms crossed over chest
—Pinching the bridge of the nose
—Rubbing the temple
—Steepled hands
—Standing with hands clasped behind back
—Biting fingernails
—Doodling absently
—Wiping clammy hands
—Tightly clenched hands
—Running a hand through the hair
—Rubbing the eyes
—Touching the nose
—Stroking chin in thought
—Standing with hands in pocket
—Picking or pinching at the flesh
—Tugging at ear
—Tracing scars without thinking
—Covering mouth with a hand when smiling
—Rubbing the tips of fingers together
—Hooking a thumb in pockets while standing
—Braiding hair automatically
—Covering mouth while chewing or laughing
—Passing a hand over the face when tired
—Flexing fingers
—Cracking knuckles
—Drumming fingers on a surface
—Wild gesturing while talking
—Twiddling thumbs
—Swinging arms back and forth when walking

    5) Upper body

—Shrugging shoulders
—Dropping shoulders
—Swaying while standing
—Slouching, slumping posture
—Tight, drawn-in shoulders when sitting
—Broad stance when standing

    6) Legs

—Crossing legs when sitting
—Foot drags while walking
—Foot stamping
—Foot tapping
—Legs will uncontrollably shake
—Strides quickly when walking
—Stands too close to others when talking
—Knees knocking against each other
—Rocking back and forth on heels
—Shifting weight from one foot to the other
—Pacing back and forth in a room
—Sitting, legs apart
—Bouncing leg up and down in a chair

— Interactive Mannerisms —

—Taking glasses off and cleaning them
—Peering over glasses
—Adjusting or pushing up glasses
—Putting earpiece of glasses in mouth
—Has a cigarette perpetually dangling out of mouth
—Buttoning and unbuttoning coat with no purpose
—Always sitting on the very edge of chair
—Hands habitually on coat lapels
—Chewing the tip of a pen or pencil
—Jingling money in pockets
—Playing with the marker
—Tugging at pants before sitting
—Tearing at a napkin at the table
—Checking watch repeatedly
—Using a toothpick at all times
—Touching up makeup constantly
—Repeatedly checking cell phone
—Twirling a pencil at a desk
—Clicking a ballpoint pen open and close
—Playing with a Rubix Cube when bored
—Fiddling with earrings
—Shredding paper without thinking
—Peeling labels from bottles
—Bending paperclips in half
—Twisting the rings on fingers
—Tipping chair back
—Leaning against the wall while talking
—Tugging at collar of shirt when nervous
—Smacking gum