No, not at all. Being called childish isn’t an insult. It doesn’t mean anything apart from expressing the speaker’s current emotional and mental condition.
When someone feels the need to label someone as childish, it may even be a sign that they too are immature and naive. Most of the time, we only speak in a language that makes sense to us in light of our perspectives and experiences.
The definition of “mature” varies from person to person. As a result, labeling someone as “childish” implies that they fall short of that person’s definition of maturity.
Some people could view someone with a volatile temper as childish. Some people might consider chatting with slang to be childish. Some individuals can view crying as immature.
It could be viewed as immature to prioritize recreation above work. It may be viewed as immature to fail to find profitable employment. It may be viewed as immature to have poor table manners. Being egotistical could be viewed as immature. The list continues.
It is generally an expression of how a person is and not necessarily an insult.
What Does It Mean To Be Called Childish?
The word “childish” describes actions or attitudes that are childlike in their foolishness, insensibility, or silliness.
When an adult displays childlike behavior, they are deceiving others into thinking they are a child when they are not. The following list of traits describes an immature person:
They Experience Emotional Escalation
Childish people experience emotional instability. They swing in and out of moods because they are unable to find stability between both emotional states.
They cry over every little thing and are often called crybabies. They laugh at things when they should be serious about them. Childish people are not just able to balance their emotions in the right way.
When Something Goes Wrong, They Blame Others
Childish people never own up to their mistakes and shortcomings. They blame others in a bid to attribute their failure to someone. You are right if you call them masters at blame games because these people never accept their faults.
Childish people use blame-shifting as a distraction to shy away from their responsibility. This trait is particular to childish people because they do not have the mental stability to stand up for themselves.
They fear being embarrassed or talked about negatively because of their incompetence and instead of working on it, they look for who to blame.
Have A Tendency To Be Annoying And Impulsive
A childish person behaves in a sentimental way, which demonstrates self-centeredness, and is unable to grasp the viewpoints of others. They do this to get self-pity from others.
Childish people need validation from people around them because they do not have a mind of their own. Instead of working on this, they do all they can to get the attention of everyone.
Their manner of approach toward getting this validation is what you will find annoying. It is never a coordinated approach because they would do anything lousy and meaningless just to gain attention.
They Act In A Narcissistic Manner
A childish person has the traits of a narcissist. They shut themselves off from everybody and don’t get to experience growth because they stop learning also.
These individuals behave like children when they do not get things done their way. When you speak with them, they respond like a child because they have undeveloped emotions and stay in a childlike mentality.
They Are Looking For Attention
When a person is childish, they seek people’s attention to have some sense of validation. They do this because they lack self-sufficiency. To fit into societal standards, they will do anything possible to attract attention.
When a childish person is present in an environment, they do flimsy and lousy things just so everyone knows they are there.
They Tell Lies To Protect Themselves.
Telling lies is one of the glaring signs that you are picking out a childish person. They lie about everything so that people can think highly of them.
Working hard is not a viable option for them because they are too small in their thinking and would lie about everything just to get people’s recognition.
What to say when someone calls you childish?
Below are 8 things to say when someone calls you childish
You can say, “I Apologize Greatly! I Will Behave Better.”
When someone calls you childish, they must have seen you behave unreasonably or annoyingly. It is ideal to apologize when you hurt someone.
However, if you have been trying to deal with behaving that way, do let them know that you’ll change. Simply say, “I apologize greatly! I will behave better.”
You Can Assert, “You Are Not Mature Either.”
When a person who doesn’t show some sense of maturity calls you childish, you should point that out to them. These kinds of people neglect their bad behavior but won’t relent in poking people in the face about theirs.
You can plainly say, ” You are not mature either.” This shows that you acknowledge the fact that you are childish, but they do not show any sign of maturity either.
You Can Affirm, “You Are The Reason Why I Can’t Behave Better.”
Certain people can’t handle the standards that others have set for them. Sometimes you tend to consider them by coming down to their level and behaving in a child-like manner because of the person you are dealing with.
Let them know that they influenced it when they end up labeling you childish, possibly because they never anticipated that you’d act that way.
You Can Ask, Was I supposed to behave differently?
It’s frustrating to be at your best while being reduced to a child for doing happily. At this point, you start to wonder what bad behavior was it.
The best answer to your question will come from the individual who first brought it to your attention. Was I meant to act differently, and ask them respectfully?
You Can Say, “Your View Of Maturity Is Uneventful And Outdated”
People who define adulthood as a rigid way of living frequently use the term “childish” when speaking to people who don’t behave the same way.
They are all about keeping a serious face and refraining from having fun. They don’t hesitate to label someone as a juvenile, though, when they act in a way that goes against their principles.
Simply inform them that abandoning a dull, secluded life is what they consider to be mature when dealing with these folks.
You Can Say, “You Call It Childish. I Call It “Funnish!”
Just as everyone is entitled to their opinions, they are also entitled to the traits they portray. Not everyone finds it reasonable when some people behave in a soft, playful, or childlike manner.
They don’t take into account whether the person enjoyed the state. Their concern is that they shouldn’t have manners because it makes them look childish.
On the other hand, the person who is being referred to as childish is only enjoying themselves. In this regarf, you can plainly say, “You call it childish. I call it “Funnish.”
You Can Assert, “I Am Just Being Me.”
One’s disposition is a choice. This means, if a person wants to behave “all grown up,” it shows in their chatter. Also, if a person prefers childish traits, they will behave in that light.
Some may call you childish for being yourself, for either being too soft, avoiding conflicts, or being playful. In response, you should let them know that it is your trait and you are not sorry about it.
You May Ask, “You Might Want To Coach Me on How To Quit This Naive Personality Of Mine?”
Most people who call others childish do it because they have attained some level of reasoning. They are possibly in the position to show them how they can behave better.
They may not have attained that level of maturity, but they just talk down to everyone else. Simply ask them to help you improve yourself when responding to them.
They won’t mind instructing you at first if it helps you improve as a person. When they realize they don’t meet any maturity standards, they will be astounded in the second scenario.
Conclusion
To wrap up this interesting and educational article, I would love you to know that people judge things based on their perspectives. However, if you are called childish because you do things that show insensitivity, then you should make a change.
There will be no need whatsoever to use a comeback. But if you are regarded as childish because you are having fun and enjoying your time, it’s not okay for you to cringe.
Your response should let them know that being mature doesn’t mean you should be gloomy and straight at all times. I believe you can know what it means to be childish and what to say when someone calls you childish.
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