Inherited Traits

I have just realised how similar my dad and I are in mannerisms and a whole pile of other things. There are obviously traits and habits we inherit from our parents.

The two that come to mind for me are:
I hate being late
If I'm supposed to be somewhere at 8am, I'll organise myself to be there at 7.45am. I realised that Dad is *exactly* the same. No turning up on time, always early. If I'm running late, I get stressed out and, perhaps worse, it really pisses me off when other people are late.

Sneezing
Both Dad and I will get something tickly in the nose and spend a few minutes sneezing uncontrollably. Just one of those things.

The second one is hereditary, the first one, I think, is learned behaviour.

So, what have you inherited from your parents?

 

Well, my dad is visiting me ATM, so it's pretty easy. Goofy sense of humour. Opinionated, stubborn, smart (from both mom and dad). Generous (both). From mom, I like reading (Dad loves it). From Dad, statistics and how to use them in everyday life. A love of science and how it applies to our lives. Manners from both of them. Independent (mom). Love of science fiction (dad). Love of dogs (mom). Going barefoot (dad via his mom). A strong tendency to gain weight if I'm not extremely careful (dad). Hugely muscular calves and outer thighs (dad). Overall large frame (dad). Big boobs (mom). Good looks (both). Love of living on the waterfront--lake or ocean (Mom grew up on Toronto Island and Dad spent his summers on a lake). Because the skies are so huge-looking and the constellations so easily visible, though my parents paid no attention, I fell in love with the moon and constellations at the lake. Allergies. Mom had them badly and now, so do I. For both of us they kicked in worse after our second child.
My mom was a bit spoiled by my dad and I think I am by my spouse. I'm pretty sure I picked a man similar to my dad so that follows. My parents were pretty decent people. My mom had some mental health issues that went untreated--her anxiety was off-the charts and the depression could incapacitate her. Dad was oblivious to it. I've sought and continue to receive treatment for over half my life and am happy and pretty well-adjusted.

 

I sometimes wonder how much we learn about ourselves or our partners by looking at our parents. Mrs Spindles certainly has attributes I can see she gets from her parents - this has made more me aware of what to expect from her in specific situations.

 

ambition, anger, hard work, self-centered (mom)
semi-introvert, anger, poems, literature, songs, reserved, cooking, biting nails (dad)

 

I also just thought - I don't get my height from my parents - if anything that is inherited from either/both of my grandfathers.

 

Unfortunately, I got my dad's explosive temper. Luckily, I discovered this about myself somewhat early on, and I'm able to control it a lot better than he does.

I also seem to have gotten my mom's desire to be a bit of a homebody. Growing up, I was the complete opposite, and was only at home to sleep... now that I'm older, I look forward to weekends when I can stay in my jammies and not talk to anyone for two straight days

And a learned habit-- I sing to my dogs constantly. My mom did the same thing with our dog when I was a kid.

 

There is a lot of nonsense rhyming in my house - I think something I got from Dad as well and which I'm passing on to my boys (especially to my eldest). I'm now seeing how annoying I probably was as a child.

 

I talk to other motorists. Ok...yell and call them morons. Just like my mamma.
--- merged: Dec 4, 2013 at 5:21 PM ---

 

I think it is good that people learn a lot about themselves by looking at their parents. Maybe not a great trait to have, but a good one to control.

 

Mother: Extrovert, impatience, temper, physical health, social skills, (parental) independence, facial features (hair, nose, jaw/mouth)

Father: Introvert, punctuality, discipline, sense of respect, sense of justice, humor, understanding people and their real intentions, facial features (eyes, eyebrows, ears)

 

So, which one did you inherit?

 

I'm an ENTP with relatively strong introvert tendencies.

 

I'm always angry, and blame my partner for all my ills (I'm only joking a little)

I'm short and stout (mom). All in all, I would have rather been tall like dad. He stands 8 inches taller than me. ( but I'm not bitter )
My nose is large and I look like my dad in the face, moreso than the other sibs.

They were both smart and at least slightly screwed up in the head, so I got that going for me.