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What is secondhand embarrassment?
When someone does something humiliating or embarrassing
and you get embarrassed for them
Maria was dancing so bad I got secondhand embarrassment.
or
Juan's talent show sucked I got secondhand embarrassment just from him messing up all his lines.
secondhand embarrassment - video
Secondhand embarrassment - what is it?
When someone's actions other than your own embarrasses you. Also a common feeling when reading or watching something embarrassing like a show or book.
1. Person 1: Did you see that girl trip today? It was so embarrassing, she dropped everything in her hands.
Person 2: Yeah, I know I couldn't handle watching her scramble around, trying to pick it up. The secondhand embarrassment was real.
2. The Character in the book was so embarrassing , that I couldn't continue reading it, cause I got secondhand embarrassment too much.
What does "secondhand embarrassment" mean?
The personal embarrassment that one feels on account of and for another (i.e. a friend, a family member or a complete stranger) who is making a fool of him or herself. A person experiencing secondhand embarrassment feels as if they are doing the embarrassing action themselves, effectively putting themselves in the other person's shoes.
Guy 1: Man, Sarah's presentation today was terrible. She forgot half of it and stumbled through the rest.
Guy 2: Oh I know. I had so much secondhand embarrassment for her. It was like watching a train wreck.