I am unable to watch people embarrass themselves, even in purposeful comic situations. The American version of the television show “The Office” was so painful for me to watch. Every time Steve Carell’s character did something embarrassing, which was all the time, I turned away. I couldn’t look at the screen. It was like if I didn’t look at the screen my I saved him from the shame that he was putting himself through.
I’ve done this in lectures too. In school, if there was a question that was particularly ridiculous, I couldn’t look at the person asking or the teacher. I had to avert my eyes. It was too painful to watch.
Does anyone else do this? Why? Are you able to name what is happening inside you when this happens?
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