NEGATIVE TRAIT THESAURUS

TACTLESS



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HELPFUL TIP:

Characters with this flaw will be extra sensitive to certain emotions, so think about how events in your story might specifically trigger these feelings to generate compelling tension and conflict. Another idea is to give a supporting character a positive attribute that is an opposite of this flaw, which will get under the skin of both characters and cause friction in their relationship.
DEFINITION:
Lacking tact

SIMILAR FLAWS:
Indelicate, indiscreet, insensitive, thoughtless, undiplomatic

POSSIBLE CAUSES:
Self-centeredness
A lack of empathy
Taking pride in speaking one's mind
Having a high regard for candor and honesty
Immaturity
Impulsivity
A lack of concern for what others may think
Being unobservant

ASSOCIATED BEHAVIORS AND ATTITUDES:
Saying things that hurt people's feelings
Telling offensive jokes
Interrupting others
Speaking the whole truth regardless of one's audience
Being unobservant
Not listening when others speak
Bringing up topics that distress others
Saying whatever comes to mind
Giving one's opinion straight and unfiltered
Not picking up on social cues, such as when people become uncomfortable or want to leave
Asking inappropriate questions
Monopolizing the conversation; not giving others a chance to speak
Saying something that minimizes another's pain or difficult experience
Publicly confronting others
Frequent complaining
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ASSOCIATED THOUGHTS:
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ASSOCIATED EMOTIONS:
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POSITIVE ASPECTS:
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NEGATIVE ASPECTS:
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EXAMPLE FROM FILM:
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OVERCOMING THIS TRAIT AS A MAJOR FLAW:
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TRAITS IN SUPPORTING CHARACTERS THAT MAY CAUSE CONFLICT:
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