the embarrassment phenomenon

[manub]

Eh... you guys have just discovered empathy? [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Empathy

If you didn't feel that way, you'd be psychopaths. Having a lot of empathy is also one thing that makes us better poker players than the average person, as it is the innate ability to feel their emotions (so called "people reading" is nothing more that high empathy combined with experience and observation).

I don't have too much empathy, so I can watch through an entire Curb season laughing my ass off without feeling too bad about it.

[ReptileHouse]

I'm another one with an overactive case of this. I've always been very empathetic to people, especially friends, in both good times and bad.

In movies/TV/etc., it gets me really bad. I find sitcoms completely unwatchable no matter how funny they are. I do not find embarrassment, shame or humiliation amusing in any way, even though I "know" that in the proper context, it is absolutely hilarious.

While I am a very confident person, I also know that deep down, the easiest way for anyone to get me upset is to find a way to embarrass me or to point out something that I've done to embarrass myself. It's the hottest of my uncontrollable hot-buttons, by far. I can, and do, learn to control how I outwardly react in those situations, but that initial reaction of anger and aggression as a result of the hurt and shame is massive and always present.

I'm sure there's at least one neurosis in there someplace.

[kylephilly]

this happens to my mom, generally during curb your enthusiasm, i think it's quite normal although I don't understand it

[BretWeir]

Haven't experienced this myself, but it happens to Mrs. Weir all the time.

It can reach crisis levels with Curb Your Enthusiasm -- sometimes she has to get up and leave half way through the episode (and she likes the show).

[SNOWBALL]

The scene in swingers when he keeps calling the girl and leaving messages is the most painful scene in any movie I have ever seen; worse than hostel.

[RoundTower]

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The scene in swingers when he keeps calling the girl and leaving messages is the most painful scene in any movie I have ever seen; worse than hostel.

[/ QUOTE ]
this example makes me understand better -- this is one of the only scenes where I have felt this. Also the Office, to some extent, but Curb your Enthusiasm? really? for so many people? I think it's laid on a bit thick there.

[HoldingFolding]

'Extras' with the Samuel Jackson episode FTW

[Kimbell175113]

[ QUOTE ]
'Extras' with the Samuel Jackson episode FTW

[/ QUOTE ]
the Daniel Radcliffe one is quite brutal as well

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k-E7sJlcTks (watch the whole thing)

[pokerbobo]

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Watching Borat or Ali G was probably the strongest Ive ever felt the phenomenon.
I still enjoyed the movie and tv shows though. Just some parts were really "tough" to get through in this regard.

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Same for me, Borat was the last time I experienced this.

[gatorch0mp]

I generally don't feel this when watching fictional shows. The last time I really felt this was watching the Miss Teen South Carolina contestant answer her question... had to put my hand over my face and peek between my fingers... it was difficult.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lj3iNxZ8Dww