Secondhand Embarrassment

Some people think that I don’t get embarrassed easily.  In fact, they don’t think I get embarrassed at all.  That couldn’t be further from the truth.

Like everyone else, I’ve had my fair share of embarrassing moments.  They’re never fun.  However, I think a more common occurrence for me is what I call “secondhand embarrassment”.

You know in TV or movies when the characters are about to do something really stupid, or they prank someone, or they act silly?  Well, that elicits a feeling of embarrassment in me.  They may not feel embarrassed, but I’m embarrassed for them.

I’ve been getting better at managing it, but it used to happen a lot when I would watch The Parent Trap.  When Hallie and Annie switched places, I was just waiting for the moment when their parents found out.

Is this a real thing?  Does anybody else feel like this, or is it just me?  I’ve been wondering for ages.

Embarrassing