Typical traits, behaviours and mannerisms are a selection of features that make individuals stand out. Remove the obvious, such as looks, voice and smell and think about the other characteristics that mark an individual. Often we pick up traits from those around us or things that we witness and sometimes we just happen to behave or move in certain ways for no other reason than... This is the way I am. But, what about those annoying traits that continue to pop up, you may do these without awareness or you may only become conscious of them after they have become apparent. Here are some of my most cringe-worthy oddities that I inflict on the public, read and then share yours, come on at least one... Surely we all have walking disaster moments??
Accenting my Accent
This is so annoying and also very common. I tend to copy the accents of those around me, with absolutely no awareness or malice intended. My grandmother is convinced that I speak French with an Arabic accent, in my younger days I have been known to use the words "In Sha Allah" thinking it is a French word that translates to "hopefully" rather than Arabic for "If god wills". Besides my North African influences, my voice has been a continuous altering journey through travels and meeting a variety of people. One minute I am going up at the end of my sentences in a US kind of way and the next I am dropping T's and H's much to my own amusement. Unable to articulate and speaking the queens English can be followed in close succession.
Why I do this? I am not entirely sure, it must have something to do with adapting and I also blame being brought up bilingual... Right?
Anywayz gee (OK I really would not say that), does one change their accent in a way that proves similar to this? Or you always chattin' the same inni't? (Now I am really making myself cringe... Ha!)
Body Moving
Hands on hips? Flash!
One leg flipped backwards and resting in the air? Flash!
Single Shoulder Shrug, Double Shoulder Shrug, Left Shoulder, Right Shoulder???? Flash, Flash, Flash, Flash!!
Pout? Fl... A really moody, full of angst pout? Flash!
OK, we got it girl... It's a wrap.
And back to life.
Seriously I am not living in a fantasy world that includes flashing lights and pap, pap, pap... It is just the way I role, elaborate body movements are just what they are. Usually unnoticed but when called out upon- Serious cringe-full moments. The smaller gestures are cute but when I hear "Why was the waitress gyrating at my table" Not so much... Apologies for putting you off your food.
How about you??? Do you move in ways that you would rather you didn't?
A Grand Selection of Laughter
He he... Ha ha, I would know that laugh anywhere! Well not here, my laughs burst out in an unknown and unpredictable array of oddness, the most cringe-worthy forms identified below:
The silent laugh Head is bobbing, mouth is open but not a note can be heard.
The Crying Game Animated laughter, closely followed by tears... Awww she's crying, not so funny now. No, really I am laughing...
The White Room Entering a realm of hysteria, with obnoxious sound effects and an over exaggerated tone.
Laughing is great for the soul, do you have a laughing style or does it pitch in and out, up and down and over and everywhere?
Pardon? What? I.CAN.NOT.HEAR.YOU!!
The above traits and behaviours are all pretty much to do with a confused/varied personality. However, my lack of hearing is in fact due to me having hearing loss in both ears, so whether you are too my left or right it ain't gonna make no difference. This lack of hearing should of course not make me cringe, but it does! Pretending to follow conversations and nodding in what I think is the right places, leaves those I am conversing with at a loss... Is this girl taking the piss?! Having to constantly ask people to repeat themselves doesn't just grate on them it grates on me too.
"Sorry, what did you say?"
"What?"
"Pardon?"
"What?"
OK, you've had enough of talking with me, I do not blame you.
