> Actually not. However, there are several here that should be.
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
http://www.newscientist.com/channel/being-human/mg19225836.100-the-wo...
> The word: Embarrassment
> 23 December 2006
> From New Scientist Print Edition.
>
> THINK back to the last time you felt embarrassed. Perhaps it was being reminded of your air guitar playing after one too many at the
> office Christmas party. Whenever it was, you're not alone - embarrassment is a universal emotion. And while it mostly serves us
> well, new research shows that some people go to such lengths to avoid feeling it that they risk illness and possibly even death.
>
> What kind of emotion is embarrassment? It's certainly uncomfortable and usually involves feelings of fear, awkwardness or
> uncertainty. It's often likened to a mild form of shame, but unlike shame it only occurs in the presence of other people. It is
> triggered by the anticipation of your reputation being damaged, or when a social situation suddenly takes an unexpected turn and you
> don't know what to do next.
>
> The purpose of embarrassment is thought to be to appease others and iron out awkward moments by signalling a form of non-verbal
> apology. It seems to work: research has shown that people who exhibit embarrassment in social situations, such as when they knock
> over a display in a supermarket, are liked more by observers than those who don't. It doesn't pay to overdo it, though. Intense
> embarrassment, rather than signalling awareness that you've violated a social norm, might signify a personality flaw. ...
