Social Contexts

If we take the time to think about all of the embarrassing situations that we've experienced, it usually involves other people--whether it was something we did to someone else, or in front of someone. Anything that's done in public and is observable by other people is what makes a person feel even more embarrassed. I believe that if these embarrassing acts were to happen in private, we wouldn't even have to worry or think about it. It's in knowing that people are able to witness and know these things about you is what makes something embarrassing. This is due to the fact that someone can't un- hear or un-see things, so once something embarrassing happens to you in public, people will remember it and a lot of the times, you won't be able to live it down.

Public Restrooms 

As a college student, one of the biggest adjustments that had to be made was sharing a bathroom with a bunch of other girls. I'm sure that I speak for most incoming college freshmen when I say that one of the biggest concerns and fears was having to do the deed in a public restroom for the whole school year. This can be uncomfortable or even inappropriate, but it's the truth, which makes it embarrassing for many people, myself included. It was such a big concern that on move-in day, some of the girls on my floor came together and talked about it. What if someone comes in while I'm trying to go? What if I fart? What if it smells? And the list of eminent fears goes on and on. At home, in your own comfort and in privacy, it wouldn't be a problem. But since it's in a public restroom, the potential for face to be threatened and as a result, getting embarrassed, becomes a greater possibility.

Creepin' 

This weekend, I let one of my friends use my phone to go through my Godsister's instagram because he thought she was hot. While I was talking to my other friend, I looked over and saw that he was laughing nervously and had that "I messed up" face. He told me that he accidentally liked a picture of her in a bathing suit from last summer. Great, now my Godsister thinks that I'm creepy. Creepin' is informally defined by trustworthy lingo site Urbandictionary as "The act of scrolling through pictures, wall-to-walls, videos, and general information on social media profiles of people whom one would not normally talk to in person. To essentially spy on everyone and everything. Rain or shine". Don't lie, we all do it. Most people prefer to creep alone in private, but some are able to creep with someone they're comfortable with. It's a practice that's done but not openly spoken of and that's totally fine....until you forget that you're creeping and accidentally "like" a really really old picture on instagram or facebook. In doing so, you've publicly made it known to the other person, that not only are you a creeper, but that you're creepin' on them. Unfortunately, many of you that are reading this right now have experienced an increase in heart rate, a flushed face, and that sinking feeling in your stomach thinking "crap, this is so embarrassingly awkward"

The Wink

My sophomore year of high school, my friend and I were doing our homework at a Starbucks. She left to go get her drink leaving me at the table by myself. I noticed that a guy across from me was winking at me, and he was pretty good looking. So after a little while, I winked back at him...which now that I think about it, was a little weird of me to do. After I winked at him, he gave me a surprised and weirded out face. My friend sat back down and that blocked my view of him. However, I noticed as I sparingly looked over at him, that he would wink every 5-10 seconds. The guy probably either had dry contacts on or just had a minor twitching problem. When I realized this, I felt so embarrassed. He was just a stranger, it shouldn't matter what he thinks. Yet, I haven't winked at anyone since then due to this fear. 

Smelly Cat 

My embarrassed reaction during the release of my "Smelly Cat" hit.

Something that happened to me Junior year is a perfect example of public embarrassment. One of my best friends was going through something pretty tough, so while we were video chatting, I sang my rendition of "Smelly Cat" by Phoebe from friends because that song is hilarious to me. I had no idea that while i was messing around singing this song, that she was recording my voice  on another app. The next day, I came into my chemistry class and everything was routine. Everyone was talking to each other and Ms. Couling, my teacher, was on her laptop. All of a sudden over the classroom loud speakers, I heard my voice. It was me singing smelly cat. My best friend gave
the file to my teacher, knowing that she loves cats. Ms. Couling is known for    
                                                                                                    being one of the cooler teachers so exposing me is no surprise. Not only did she play it for my chemistry class to hear, but for ALL of her chem classes. And she has multiple chemistry classes. For the rest of the day, a lot of people in my school knew me as "smelly cat girl" Someone even went as far as to add a beat in the background. There's even a version in a higher annoying pitch, basically it just went viral. People in my school who didn't know me even heard about it. Yes, I was publicly embarrassed and this was due to the fact that this was the image that a lot of people now would hold of me.