Identify and fight Bad Mannerism...

Mannerisms and its effect on our day to day Lives.. 

Detested Behaviors

Although there are some positive mannerisms, the term "mannerism," generally carries negative connotations and implies bad mannerisms which are the concern of this article.

Mannerism is defined by the Advanced Learner's Dictionary as a peculiar habit of behavior, speech, etc. Morgan in a fiction factor article puts it this way:

1)Mannerisms are those unique little gestures and movements we make that set us apart from those around us. They are ingrained into our subconscious and we rarely realize we're doing them. Often we learn these traits from a beloved caregiver or other influential people in our lives.

It is not difficult to identify a mannerism. If someone does a strange thing habitually, like clearing his/her voice superfluously, that is a mannerism. If someone (usually men) finds himself whistling every so often, that is a mannerism. If someone is fond of biting his or her fingernails, that is a mannerism. Nose poking, excessive or unnecessary tooth picking, tooth sucking, and indiscriminate hugging and handshaking are also mannerisms. The habit of interjecting one's speech or sermon with a typical exclamation repeatedly and overuse of a gesture are some other mannerisms.

The above examples are neither an exhaustive nor a universal list. A behavior that means a mannerism in one society or culture may not be identified as such elsewhere. It must however be stressed that one's bad mannerisms (whatever the location of that person) are often odd, and consequently, they are detested by other people, particularly those with whom one lives or works.

Roots of mannerisms

There are scientifically defined causes of negative mannerisms. However, for the purpose of this article, let me use lay assumptions and say that some mannerisms are caused by sickness, pain and other forms of suffering. Someone contracts a behavior during such a time, and if the behavior is not treated grows into a berserk habit called mannerism. Other mannerisms are effects of poor upbringing. Take for example, children who grow up with parents who are victims of mannerisms, or a child who is not discouraged from finger sucking, or one who simply grows up as a spoiled child, all these are bound to have peculiar behaviors. A number of mannerisms grow out of careless behavior excesses of an individual which can start anywhere in his/her life, with personality eroding effect.

The Cure for Mannerisms

Sad to say, one of the problems with human beings is that it takes us time to accept correction. Yet the help for a victim of mannerism lies in someone critically pointing out the peculiarity, and perhaps offering some advice. For as Cleiser observes on speech mannerisms, people are usually not conscious of their mannerisms:

2)The strange thing about mannerisms is that the speakers are usually unconscious of them, and would be the first to condemn them in others. The remedy for such defects lies in thorough and severe self-examination and self-criticism.

Victims of mannerisms need to have self-consciousness which will make them embarrassed by their mannerisms, followed by deliberate efforts to abandon them. Emphatically, mannerisms are cured by self-help efforts more than anything else. Having sincere friends who are able to talk with the victim openly and honestly is the best outside help. The victim must have the humility to accept other people's observations and criticisms, and the will to fight the mannerism(s).

Last but not least, a victim of mannerism can take the route of prayer and earnestly ask God Almighty for healing and regeneration.

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