History Main / HatesBeingCalledCute

The reasons vary for why the character dislikes being called cute, but most of the time is because in the mind of people (or even in the mind of the character, if they're [[HeroicSelfDeprecation insecure]]), [[DontYouDarePityMe being called cute/adorable means they are weak]], not fitted for the job, or being judged based on (and only on) their appearance. The character wants to prove themselves worthy.

{{Tomboy}}s are another common user of this trope because being cute is generally thought of as a GirlyGirl trait, and so this trope can serve to contrast them. If a tomboy ''doesn't'' mind being called cute, than that is likely their [[TomboyWithAGirlyStreak girly streak]].

It can overlap with BreakTheCutie or CuteBruiser. Contrast {{Kawaiiko}}, who are trying way too hard to be called cute.

* ''Literature/JourneyToChaos'': Nolien quickly learns that if he wants to compliment Tiza, he must focus on her combat abilities, because calling her "lovely" or "pretty" etc. makes her angry instead. During a mission in Najica, this trope caused an incident that [[NoodleIncident never of them wants to talk about]].

Dick had seen Damian angry many, many times. They met when he was in the middle of a homicidal frenzy, but this was not that time. ''This'' made him take a sharp step back. The boy's little body quaked with boiling rage, and he was grinding his teeth so hard Dick swore he saw sparks. This was not a starving carnivore preparing to tear out its prey's throat. This was the before shot of Vesuvius take two.\\

[[folder: Anime]]

* The Hatbox Ghost in ''Fanfic/TheMansionverse'' is very proud of his alleged scariness and [[http://haunted-mansion-fandom.wikia.com/wiki/KEL_ASK_008 has a breakdown]] when someone calls him cute. In an unusual twist, he's not angry — instead, he's terrified that he's actually lost his touch.

[[folder: Video Games]]

* In ''WesternAnimation/TheNewScoobyDooMysteries'' episode "No Thanks, Masked Manx", Scrappy objects to Daphne's mother calling him cute.
** Heck, Scrappy hates being called cute in general.

A common BerserkButton for characters with [[TheCutie in-overall adorable appearances]] but with [[BadassAdorable surprising strength, intelligence or even bravery to face a challenge on their way]]. Someone calls them adorable, and their most common reply is (or is a variation of): "Don't Call Me Cute!"

The reasons vary for why the character dislikes being called adorable, but most of the time is because in the mind of people (or even in the mind of the character, if they're [[HeroicSelfDeprecation insecure]]), [[DontYouDarePityMe being called cute/adorable means they are weak]] or just not indicated for the job, and the character just wants to be worthy.

Can overlap with BreakTheCutie or CuteBruiser.

* ''Manga/LoveHina'': When wearing a dress given to her by Haruka in episode 12, Keitaro compliments Motoko, calling her cute. Motoko promptly loses her cool and tries to attack him with her sword.

-->'''Sith Inquisitor:''' I am cute, I'm deadly.

* Spooky from ''VideoGame/SpookysJumpScareMansion''. She's a CuteGhostGirl who hates being thought of as cute and wants nothing more than everyone to fear her. [[spoiler: It's revealed this extends back to even back when she was alive, as she was a normal girl who wanted to scare people but couldn't because everyone thought she was too cute. Then one day she succeeds in scaring a person with PTSD, who ends up killing her.]]

* ''WesternAnimation/StevenUniverse'': In "Catch and Release", Steven calls Peridot "cute" upon seeing how short she is without her "limb enhancers". Peridot responds by slapping him (after realizing doing so hurts him).

* ''WesternAnimation/MonstersUniversity'': In an university where all monsters aspire to be fearsome scarers, being cute is not a good thing. It was used as an isult to humiliate the fraternity Oozma Kappa, calling them "the most adorable monsters on campus". PlayedForDrama later in the movie, when Mike tries to scare a group of kids but fails because of his small UglyCute appearance ("I wanna touch it. He's so cute!"), leading to Mike's HeroicBSOD because he realizes he will never become a scarer.

* An indirect variant occurs in ''WesternAnimation/KungFuPanda2'' when two of Lord Shen's wolf guards see a tiny barrel (secretly containing Mantis) rolls towards them, and they call it "cute". Mantis then bursts from it, screaming "Cute?!", and proceeds to knock them unconscious.

* ''WesternAnimation/StevenUniverse'': In "Catch and Release", Steven calls Peridot "cute" upon seeing how short she is without her "limb enhancers". Peridot responds by slapping him (after realising doing so hurts him). Of course there's elements of CallingMeALogarithm, since it's implied she just assumed the first thing her enemy would call her is an insult.

A common BerserkButton for characters with [[{{TheCutie}} in-overall adorable appearances]] but with [[{{BadassAdorable}} surprising strength, intelligence or even bravery to face a challenge on their way]]. Someone calls them adorable, and their most common reply is (or is a variation of): "Don't Call Me Cute!"

The reasons vary for why the character dislikes being called adorable,but most of the time is because in the mind of people (or even in the mind of the character, if they're [[{{HeroicSelfDeprecation}} insecure]]), being called cute/adorable means they are weak or just not indicated for the job, and the character just wants to be worthy.

* In ''Anime/{{Glitter Force}}'', the fairy Pop considers himself to be a cool and noble warrior. He regards being called cute as being "most rude" while calling out anyone who dares to call him that.

[[folder: Fan Works]]
* The Hatbox Ghost in ''Fanfic/{{the Mansionverse}}'' is very proud of his alleged scariness and [[http://haunted-mansion-fandom.wikia.com/wiki/KEL_ASK_008 has a breakdown]] when someone calls him cute. In an unusual twist, he's not angry — instead, he's terrified that he's actually lost his touch.

[[folder: Films - Animation]]
* ''Disney/{{Zootopia}}'': Judy tells Clawhauser that she doesn't like being called "cute", saying that [[{{DoesThisRemindYouOfAnything}} only other bunnies]] [[{{NWordPrivileges}} can call each other cute]].
* An indirect variant occurs in ''WesternAnimation/{{Kung Fu Panda 2}}'' when two of Lord Shen's wolf guards see a tiny barrel (secretly containing Mantis) rolls towards them, and they call it "cute". Mantis then bursts from it, screaming "Cute?!", and proceeds to knock them unconscious.

[[folder: Live-Action TV]]
* ''Series/{{Degrassi}}'': Manny was {{The Cutie}} in the first two seasons, but in season 3 she decides to change her image because she doesn't want to be perceived as "cute" anymore. In her own words, she wants to be hot, not cute or adorable, but ''hot''.

[[folder: Literature]]
* Dr. Marmalade from ''Literature/{{The Bad Guys}}''. He's a billionaire mad scientist who also happens to be an adorable guinea pig. Him being tired of called "cute" is what drove him to become an evil scientist in the first place. [[spoiler: It turns out, by alien standards, this holds true of his actual form, a tentacled mess of stalks with butts for hands, which looks terrifying to the others.]]

* Spooky from ''VideoGame/{{Spookys Jump Scare Mansion}}''. She's a {{Cute Ghost Girl}} who hates being thought of as cute and wants nothing more than everyone to fear her. [[spoiler: It's revealed this extends back to even back when she was alive, as she was a normal girl who wanted to scare people but couldn't because everyone thought she was too cute. Then one day she succeeds in scaring a person with PTSD, who ends up killing her.]]

[[/folder]]

* ''WesternAnimation/StevenUniverse'': In "Catch and Release", Steven calls Peridot "cute" upon seeing how short she is without her "limb enhancers". Peridot responds by slapping him.

[[folder: Western Animation]]
* In ''WesternAnimation/{{Bounty Hamster}}'', the titular character is a [[{{ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin}} hamster bounty hunter]] and his biggest {{Berserk Button}} is being called cute, which will lead to his {{Catch Phrase}}: "Don't... call... me... CUTE!"
* In ''WesternAnimation/{{Dave The Barbarian}}'', [[{{Big Bad}} Dark Lord]] [[{{FluffyTheTerrible}} Chuckles the Silly Piggy]] absolutely ''loathes'' being treated as anything other than "[[{{CardCarryingVillain}} the Master of Evil]]". Unfortunately for him, his small, plump appearance can lead to {{Cuteness Proximity}}.
* ''WesternAnimation/{{Gravity Falls}}'': In "Headhunters", Dipper takes offense at Blubs and Durland calling him "adorable".
-->'''Dipper:''' That's it! Mabel, you and me are gonna found the jerk who did this and take back that head! ''Then'' we'll see who's adorable. ''(makes a little sneeze)''

* ''WesternAnimation/{{We Bare Bears}}'': In "Panda Sneeze", Panda doesn't want to be called "cute" because he feels it won't allow him to be taken seriously, and he is humiliated when his adorable sneezing becomes a sensation.
* ''WesternAnimation/{{Steven Universe}}'': In "Catch And Release", Steven calls Peridot "cute" upon seeing how short she is without her "limb enhancers". Peridot responds by slapping him.
-->'''Peridot:''' *slapping Steven* You smashed me into a limbless cloud, you trapped in your bubble-dungeon, [[{{ArsonMurderAndJaywalking}} and you called me CUTE!]]