Reverse Embarassment

Yep. Same here. If i'm watching someone being shamed or embarrassed on tv, i look away or turn the volume down. It's kinda weird. Can't explain it.

 

Hmmmm - I feel slightly embarrassed reading this thread.

 

I agree with this. I get especially uncomfortable when it is happening to someone close to me. It's not as if I'm judging them per say; I just can't stand the idea that they are going through that situation. I want to be able to erase it so they don't have to feel that way.

 

Oh god yes. I can feel very awkward and uncomfortable even if it's just on tv or a movie.

 

I think most people do this.. It's called face saving theory.

To save another's face is to ignore disgraceful behavior. I'm sure we've all at some point ignored a child who was throwing a tantrum in public. Turning the tv down at an embarrassing moment is pretty much the same. You're just ignoring the disgrace..

I guess it makes sense that you'd do it when watching movies, if you are sensitive enough.
I'm not sure I understand why watching a violent scene is less upsetting..

Maybe because we live in a culture where a respectable person restrains their reactions and emotions. To show any vulnerability is perceived as something embarrassing.. whereas a violent attack is something someone really can't help.

 

That is interesting..
What are the other varieties of reasons?

 

I can tease my friend if they do something in front of me and the rest of my friends. However, I get very protective when it is done in front of strangers. I am ready to pounce if they make fun of those I hold dear to me.

 

Yes I want to know!
I'm not judging you here, I'm interested in understanding.

 

I have this to a very extreme level. I won't watch most (if not all) movies because of this. I will have to leave the room, and it will "knock me down" for hours afterwords if it is bad enough. I will just walk away, or in some way get away from it. As you said, comedy tends to make this the worst. I saw 20 minutes of superbad a few years ago a while after it came out after being badgared by friends to watch it (I KNEW it would bother me) after 20 minutes I couldn't take it any more and said "I am done" and just walked not giving a damn what anyone said to me. If I see someone in public possibly setting them selves up to cause something like this, I will try and stop them from doing it. Of course I can't always predict it. As an example, if a friend shouts something really loud in a store that is crude or something, I will scoul at them and walk away then walk out of the store, then speak to them explaining it. I often wont go back in that store for a few days either. The embaressment of those sort of things is overpowering.

I am not kidding when I say I am very strongly effected by this.

 

Like you, it's not the same if i see someone going through physical pain. I used to very sensitive to any form of pain i see. But now, it's selective. I'm more affected by emotional pain, embarrassment than by anything physical.

 

No sarcasm. I do feel embarrasment when reading the opening post.

 

Are you embarrassed that you feel this way or does it stem from something else?

 

Yes, I feel horribly embarrassed for some people all the time.