<p>Compliment or derogative?</p>
<p>Depends on the habit!</p>
<p>“creature” can be delivered in a pretty patronizing tone - “You’re such a LOVELY creature,” for example, delivered in the right way makes it clear to the recipient that she or he is considered a bit less than human.</p>
<p>Calling somebody a “creature of habit” is not calling them a “creature.” It means that they act out of habit. Whether it is derogatory or just gently joshing depends on the context. If somebody says you’re a “creature of habit” when he notices that you always order a double-skim mocha latte with cinammon, that’s not exactly derogatory. Actually, I hear this phrase most often when somebody is describing himself. “Why do you always drink a Diet Coke for breakfast?” “I guess I’m just a creature of habit.”</p>
<p>Hunt - I agree both with the intent of the phrase and its usual self-application. But I’ve also heard inflection used to adjust the typical meaning.</p>
<p>Well, it’s how I’ve always said it…</p>
<p>It just means you are somewhat predictable in your day to day life. You are the type of person that if you don’t showup for work on time one day they will call to make sure you are OK. I think for most of us it’s a good thing. You are steady and reliable. Now Ms Spears appears to be a creature of very bad habits. Also predictable but a trainwreck.</p>
<p>A slightly more derogatory expression might be, “You’re so predictable.”</p>
<p>Perhaps an even more derogatory one would be, “You never learn.”</p>