Is there any reason you would instantly/almost instantly hate somebody?

Question

I need to create a character my protagonist instantly hates, but who is essentially good. Any ideas?

Everyone's being really helpful, thanks! Keep em comin! :)

Answer 1

I really think there is something in the "chemistry" of a relationship that can set you on your guard from the first encounter. Perhaps it is the tone of voice, the direction of the eyes, other elements of body language...but sometimes it comes down to something just not feeling right.

Answer 2

I have three examples for you to consider:

Sometimes we take an instant dislike to a person when we notice that they display a character flaw that we also have, but try to either overcome or ignore. People who fight a tendency to indulge in gossip might take an instant dislike to an obvious gossipy type. People who struggle with laziness, lying, stinginess, messiness, whatever, the list of possibilities are endless, if they hate that negative trait within themselves they might hate the person in front of them who embodies that trait.

Also, a past life regression therapist once told me that sometimes people have instant, visceral reactions to other people that they can't explain and that often this is because the two shared an intense relationship in a past life. The reactions range from love to hate at first sight, trust/misstrust, etc. based on the nature of the past relationship(s). Far out, I know, but then so is some of the best literature.

And, sadly, as we all know, some people have negative associations with people from certain racial, religous, class, or other categories; therefore, they can't see the real person because they are so bound up in the category this essentially good person might belong in and the negativity they associate with it.

Answer 3

Well, if I saw someone torturing a puppy or a small child, I wouldn't think much of them. But if your character is essentially good, I doubt s/he would stoop so low.

Perhaps just a bristly personality would be enough to make your readers dislike him/her. Make them a little like Dr. House - always sarcastic, always pessimistic. Never have a nice word to say about anyone.

Answer 4

Instant hate is usually because the 'hatee' reminds the protagonist of someone from his past that he had problems with or hated or feared. Possibly a vengeful father, uncle, bully from school, horrible teacher, etc. And the 'hatee' is absolutely innocent.

Answer 5

I don't know about hating, so much, but I would dislike a person who had a smart mouth and didn't know when to shut up. I would also greatly dislike someone who always had a critical word. You can be fundamentally good and still have those negative personality traits.

Answer 6

if he or she has personalities that are the complete opposite of the protagonist. example: the protagonist is a kind giving person who sees the character stealing from a homeless person while the homeless person turns away OR the protagonist is a cold bully who sees a goody two-shoes

Answer 7

3 youngsters vandalize your place, there's a fourth new child who's oftentimes occurring to charm to close around them oftentimes and is with them on the time of the vandalism. they're apprehended contained in the act, in certainty, the fourth new child did no longer participate contained in the act and grow to be in certainty attempting to speak the different 3 out of it. This certainty is oftentimes occurring to no person however the 4 babies and is on no account reported by using them. Do you opt the fourth new child? in case you're saying "no" you're mendacity to your self. you're complicit contained in the movements of all members of your faith, and could be judged to that end by using the remainder of society. If the movements of your fellow believers are perceived negatively by using society, once you admit to club you apart from might would be judged negatively. you may artwork to alter those movements, you may go away the church, or you may settle for which you're being judged to your voluntary club in a team it is perceived negatively. those are your possibilities, wishing it wasn't so would not replace it.

Answer 8

Not always, there are people that I just hate for no reason, as soon as I met them, or in some cases, even saw them, boom, instant dislike, and even disgust.

And I'm generally a very nice and sociable guy, it's always confused me, but I can still tolerate them so it doesn't really matter.

Answer 9

when your stupid retarded friend name oh lets call her kate spreads rumours about your friends uh there names can be jessica and kelly . she said jessica was on diet pills and blamed your self and this other girl lets call her miranda . and then calls kelly belimic and lies about seeing her throughing up at her house which that kate never been over too , and lies about everything and is a s l u t and bends over all the time in gym . ( this didnt really happen )

Answer 10

pheromones
situation s/he's found in i.e. talking to a love interest or crashes and totals his/her car
behaviour i.e. kicking a dog
looks like/reminds him/her of someone bad from the past
bad hygiene i.e. nose picking or B.O. or gross teeth
That's all I can think of!
hope it helps!
Amelia