The Curmudgeon Thread
For the last few years, my New Years resolution, has been to develop my curmudgeonly skills, so that anyone will recognize the classic curmudgeon, as soon as they see me coming. This thread is designed to be ongoing throughout the year, as to share any and all tips for becoming the classic curmudgeon.
I will admit, that I am not yet the ultimate curmudgeon, and that there are at least a couple curmudgeons here on TPL who have me beat. Make no mistake though, I am quickly planning to close the distance on you.
Here are a few basic tips to get those who are interested, moving in the right direction.
#1
Become an independent thinker, and go against the grain. Curmudgeons take pride in being contrarians. They don’t just take the popular positions or the easy ones. They aren’t scared to go against the grain.
- Most settings actually need contrarians, although they can ruffle feathers. Academia is one field that some experts believe has a lot of curmudgeons. Of course, if you have the job protection tenure affords, you can afford to risk being contrary to people in power.
- Curmudgeons do not go along with the group in order to get along. They are willing to tick everyone off to voice their stance on an issue, even if they become unpopular as a result. The old Winston Churchill quote comes to mind: “You have enemies? Good. That means you've stood up for something, sometime in your life.”
#2
Be a leader, not a follower of trends! Learn to think for yourself. If a popular media figure says something is great, you don't care for it. Curmudgeons don't need to have the newest gadget or the biggest house.
- Curmudgeons are the setters of trends. They have their own minds, values, and trends. They are willing to be the one person wearing the bow tie in the group. Their dress often highlights the fact they stand outside the group.
- Curmudgeons cultivate their individuality in literature, movies, and food, as well as dress. Above all, they stay true to their own likes. They aren't chameleons who adopt the interests of others or the whole.
#3
Focus on the greater good. At their best, curmudgeons can be the way they are because they are caring people working for a cause or to champion a set of principles. There is such a thing as a “lovable curmudgeon.” The kind of curmudgeon you should want to be is the grumpy guy (or gal) who’s willing to say what it takes to make things right even if he or she gets painted in a negative fashion as a result, but who does it for a greater good, not to harm someone else.
- Deep down, many curmudgeons are caring people who put the interests of others first, and in fact think they are serving some greater good by complaining. They are willing to risk their jobs and reputations to advance values they hold dear. There is something admirable about that.
- What curmudgeons are not is cruel. They don’t try to punish or hurt individuals; they are too busy warring against systems for that. They aren't mean. Grouchy? Yes. Cruel? No.
#4
Develop a sense of humor. Curmudgeons aren't always super serious. They can dominate a stage with a big, charismatic personality. They like attention.
- Tell good stories. Work up some good short stories that tell about interesting experiences you've had or people you've known. Learn how to time them so they are never boring or repetitive. An ironic twist at the end is helpful.
- Find the humor in at least five things you see every day. Smile or laugh and catch someone's eye to share the moment.
#5
Stay traditional, even when society changes around you. Curmudgeons are throwbacks. They are the guys who stick to the old ways as the world changes around them. Poke around the attic, garage or basement until you find that old thing you used to use, rather than buying something new.
- You will see this in the way they dress. The typical curmudgeon wears a flannel shirt and grumpy old man hat. You don’t have to do this. Just be aware that you won’t find a curmudgeon acting slavish to a trend. They don’t care about “fitting in” or seeming modern. They might prefer vintage dress.
- In terms of attitude and values, curmudgeons will stick to a core set of principles even if, at times, the world changes around them. Sometimes they advance the positions of their childhood. Curmudgeons know who they are and what they believe in. They aren't insecure.
#6
Avoid collaboration and being part of “the group.” Curmudgeons are known for rejecting collaboration, and civility is not always their strong suit. At the same time, curmudgeons will at times build alliances with friends and allies on the side.
- With their own unique flair and pizzazz, curmudgeons will occupy the center stage with humor or sarcasm. They prefer a heated debate or engaging in lengthy discussion before reaching any consensus with others (if they ever do).
- Curmudgeons sometimes style themselves as gadflies or whistle blowers who are willing to say things that other people dare not. Although this can make them very disliked, there are times when they spot things that are real problems. Thus, while written off as cranks sometimes, they can at times offer valuable advice to an institution by playing the role of constant devil’s advocate.
#7
Reject authority or at least don’t buy into the notion that authority is always right. Curmudgeons are the sort that constantly pokes at administrators or bosses. They don’t naturally accept that people are right just because they have ascended to power.
- Sometimes curmudgeons become such because they have become outcasts or don’t belong to the internal network that produces leaders in an institution through “who you know.” They want to have a voice, and they think they have ideas to contribute, but they have no other way to make their voice heard.
- At times, leaders aren’t doing a good job but everyone else fears confronting them. Curmudgeons are willing to call out problems that others look the other way on. The leaders may dismiss their complaints.
Comments
#8Present a grumpy, or at least a serious vibe. Curmudgeons are not known for their joyous, happy or vibrant personalities. They are more likely to see the world through negative blinders.
#12
Study famous curmudgeons to get a sense of how to do it with style. Start paying attention, and you will see curmudgeons in public life everywhere. They are a common character in movies and politics, for starters.
Tips
Warnings
That said, I live my life with old fashioned values, beliefs, honor, integrity, that my parents taught me and by the grace of God, the freedom to do what I chose. And as jim102864 stated, I also view the rest of the world as sheep, born of the nanny state that has become our culture and which seems to be our new way of life. Seems to me that today's nanny state culture are the ones who are disrespectful and go against the grain to disrupt the normalcy in the society that some of us are use to. They don't like the rules so they change the game and then get mad if others do not want to follow them.
I also smoke pipes and cigars and have for a lot of years, as most of the folks here, and I am a traditionalist. I hate change and would much prefer things to remain as they once were. So that in itself would probably cause some people to label me as a curmudgeon.
I apologize for that last one.....
Yeah, it reads like something cut n pasted from some fuckin hipster how to site.
Common sense told me, that some of you would struggle with #4, but common sense also tells me that in most cases it is a genuine attempt to be sardonic and not sarcastic.
Keep in mind, that the use of an apostrophe indicates possession, and frequent habitual use may require an exorcism. However, most practitioners regard the process as more of a cure than a punishment.
I agree with it all and oddly enough seem to to pretty much seem to be congruous.
Dino
Truth is Authority.... Authority is Not Truth
Despite politically correct opinion, there is absolutely nothing wrong, with steering a boat in the proper direction.
Back in the day, I had a teacher at the local college, encourage my pursuit of becoming the ultimate curmudgeon. In fact, he happened to have an enlarged prostate gland, which encouraged frequent trips to the bathroom, which ended up being fruitless, and cost him quite a bit of sleep. His lack of sleep, was the precursor to his development in becoming my mentor, in becoming the ultimate curmudgeon. He liked to smoke quality cigars, and I enjoyed gifting them to him.
I'll never forget one of his favorite quotes, "If its worth doing, it's worth overdoing."
And so it was, that he related a story to me, about standing in line at the local grocer. It seems that two ladies were in line in front of him, and the first lady was attempting to write a check, but the next lady in line was a fan of the debit card. The two of them began to go at it over the first lady's delay, and it was at this point my mentor decided to spring into action.
He proceeded to instruct the first lady to get her check written pronto, and then admonished the second lady to learn to develop some patience and manners. It was at this point, the cashier began to relax, and feel a sense that she had been rescued, and the rest of the people in line behind him began to respond with a round of applause and approval.
He then cut his eyes over at me with a sly grin and admonished. "There are things you can get away with at 65, that you could have never gotten away with at 30!'
Sometimes, in everyday situations, it only takes the classic curmudgeon, to save the day, and bring things back in line, to create a sense of normalcy and business as usual.
It is fact that people feel secure in being led, and the classic curmudgeon is the ideal leader, when they take the initiative to take the ball and run with it full bore into the end zone.
"I don't believe in anything to excess -- especially moderation."
@AnantaAndroscoggin, I'm not for certain, but that sounds like it came from the lips of W.C Fields, truly a curmudgeon's curmudgeon,
One of my favorite W.C. Fields quotes goes something like this- "Never try to impress a woman, because if you do, she will expect you to keep up the standard, for the rest of your life."
A couple other Fields quotes, that shouldn't be forgotten.
"I never vote for anyone, I always vote against!"
"Women are like elephants. I like to look at them, but I wouldn't want to own one!"
As for misogynistic quotes, @xDutchx: "Women are proof that God has a sense of humor," and "They're not a different sex, they're a different species."
@xDutchx is definitely missed.