Annoying.

[Egyptian Myth]

( Note: I posted this on an anthro forum, so it's somewhat anthro-specific, but it's meant for all species. Hence the lack of vampire/mer/werewolf/etc. references/examples. xD )

It really annoys me when people, when making an art persona for themselves - whether that be anthro or just generally deciding a species - pick something just because it's their favorite animal/species and not because it suits them. A persona or fursona is what/who somebody is on the inside, not just something they want to be.
It takes a lot of reflecting and thinking to determine what you most likely are on the inside. You have to know animals really well, including a variety of species, and you have to take a good look at yourself too. So when people go through all the trouble of looking into what they truly are, it really annoys me when some people just pick their favorite animal and decide that's what they want to be when it doesn't suit them at all.

When deciding what you are, you should consider...
-Ethnic background(where your family originated, what race you are, etc.)
-What species your family members might be(if both your parents and siblings seem to be canines, you're probably canine, etc.)
-What sort of environment you like best and dislike most(Forest, beach, field, city, etc.)
-What foods you like and dislike(Although humans are obviously omnivores, if you very much like meat and really don't eat a lot of vegetables this could indicate you're carnivorous, etc.)
-Your overall personality(caring, worrying, bitter, moody, etc.)
-Your mentality/state of mind(pessimistic, opportunistic, cautious, etc.)
-What people you hang out with(again like the family members.. if your friends seem to be feline, you're probably feline, etc.)
-If you even hang out with people(introverted or extroverted, if you prefer to be alone or with company, if you're out-going or shy, etc.)
-What animals seem to like and dislike you, and A LITTLE of what animals you like/dislike(in the sense of, what animals do you like to be around, etc.)
-And JUST SLIGHTLY your physical appearance. You ought to carry at least a mild resemblance to your persona/fursona and their species. For instance, a fox demon/fox anthro would most likely have red, orange, brown, or maybe black hair, and most likely eyes any shade of brown or green. Don't take this the wrong way, but if you're overweight you're most likely not something like a hawk or fish or fox, or something that doesn't get or look overweight at all like that. ***But obviously, physical appearance can vary greatly from what/who you are on the INSIDE.*** Similarities are just something likely to occur.
-Random tip: Online quizzes aren't usually very reliable. -.- Don't take one quiz and be like "OMG, YEAH."

A lot of times people don't look through these things, at least definitely not all of them. This is why a lot of species get overused. Foxes, wolves, black cats, coydogs/wolfdogs/mixed breeds, and absolutely irrational mixed breeds* are extremely overused because those are what a lot of people like. A lot of times in foxes people don't even specify species; 'fox' is only a category of animals, while there are red foxes, gray foxes, silver foxes(which are actually black, not WHITE or silver), arctic foxes, fennec foxes, and maned wolves(which are actually foxes).

*Speaking of irrational mixed breeds, I've seen some pretty crazy species. I've seen people who claim to be winged wolf/fox/cat/tiger/lizards. What the FUCK. These are the indecisive people who can't MAKE UP THEIR MIND, or people who are just too lazy to hunt down what species they are and so they just pick a bunch of random crap they like and throw it together.
Winged doesn't even make sense. A lot of people give their persona/fursonas wings without even any real reason. Did they get genetically experimented on? Exposed to radioactive crap? Did they DIE and get wings from Heaven/Hell?

Now. I realize some people don't make a persona/fursona, they just make a character they like to roleplay or what have you. In this case, whatever, be as irrational and random as you want, it's fantasy after all, a game. But as for people who are making representations of themselves:
-DO YOUR RESEARCH.
-LOOK AT YOURSELF.
-BE REASONABLE, LOGICAL, RATIONAL.
-MAKE UP YOUR MIND.

All of this is totally open for arguement, but try not to hate me or anyone else for their opinion. This is just the way I feel things should be; I'm not saying that's how they are, I'm not demanding everyone look at it like this.

[crazypapercups]

mmmnn, Ethnic background?...elaborate how that would work into the equation.
I just think: Asian people could be more like mountain-breed dogs, like Akita, or domestic bob-tailed cats? or African americans be african wild dogs, or lions?
Just a thought, not quite grasping that.

I don't think the people you hang out with really matter, there are people who can't get along with anyone and people who get along with everyone.

uhm, I think you'd be more clear if you mentioned an actual scenario like:
Short small asian person, short black hair, brown eyes, timid. small rounded facial features, round face. enjoys company of domestic dogs and small birds. Dislikes cats and birds of prey.

I think mouse, someone could think rabbit, or something else.

[Egyptian Myth]

Well, that's a good example, yes.
A good example of what NOT to do, is on this anthro forum there was this chick who was a siamese cat. She stayed true to her weight, surprisingly enough, which was mildly 'plump' as she put it - not necessarily overweight, just thick-boned, thick-skinned. However, she gave her picture and, she was not at ALL of any sort of Asian descent and resembled nothing like a siamese cat. If she were to adjust her fursona to fit her more, she could of course remain feline, but she could pick something that made a little more sense. In my opinion, judging by her hair, which was a very orange shade of brown, and her eyes which were green, one of those orange striped cats would be much more reasonable.

But of course, genetic origin and appearance isn't a huge thing to base a fursona/persona on. Nonetheless, if making a character designed to represent you, it's more accurate to have it *look* like you, to an extent of course.

Were you describing yourself?
The asian doesn't particularly fit, but it'd work. As vague a species as 'mouse', any descent isn't that important. 'Field mouse', those came from like, everywhere, so in that case ethnicity isn't terribly significant.
You still work as a cat. Cat's aren't particularly social, they don't always like other cats, yet on some occasions they get along with dogs. Birds of prey could eat them. xD As for your appearance, you look fairly like a cat. As a matter of fact, a siamese cat would fit you, if you that's what you wanted to be; but whatever species of cat you picked works too, since you've got dark fur going.
A rabbit would probably fit you too. o.o But you would have to be *really* timid to be a rabbit, in most cases. o-o

Pchow.

[l u c i d `]

I wanna be a faerie...

-shot.-

Whenever I draw myself i'm human. I don't *HAVE* something to represent me. I don't think I ever will. I dunno wtf fits me any ways.

[Lunar Tragedy]

I know someone who believes they're some sort of phoenix, dragon, wolf combination... Were I to pick something out for her, I think I'd pick some sort of wolf, which is what she'd thought originally too. It's as though people who create fursonas are constantly wanting to change their mind and improve themselves, especially to compete with others doing the same...

Personally, I would create a fursona only after a looooot of time thinking about it... Which is unusual for me, considering the fact I'm an intuitive person. At this point, I'm extremely unsure what I should be portrayed as...

Tori, I'm sure you'll find something.=) Maybe Ree could even give you some advice?

[l u c i d `]

Guh. I understand completely. Normally, I'm a very intuitive person too, yeah.. (even though some people would disagree, I'm sure). But, whenever it comes to trying to pick out something to represent me character wise, I fail. FAIL. Guh -dies.-

My mom says "a celtic.. witch? I DON'T know. o.O" Ha ha. -dies.- I once portrayed myself as a wolf... but then I grew up and decided.. "no... that doesn't fit..."