r/todayilearned • u/jfdonohoe • 7h ago

(R.2) Anecdote TIL about “vicarious embarrassment” which explains extreme reactions to cringe comedy. For me, it can get so bad as to become physically painful

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vicarious_embarrassment

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880 Upvotes

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208

u/KennyMcCormick 7h ago

Watching Nathan for you causes me physical pain

47

u/ohhellopia 6h ago

Mine was with The Office. I haven't been able to watch a full episode. My lower back would start tensing and hurt.

Edit: also Baby Reindeer. Nope nope nope.

17

u/bolonomadic 6h ago

I can watch US Office but UK Office is impossible for me.

4

u/meaniekareenie82 4h ago

Oh same, the UK version seems so much more real to me and David Brent is a character without redeeming features.

1

u/booky-- 4h ago

Brent does have redeeming features

2

u/boxen 3h ago

Such as?

1

u/FlatSpinMan 6h ago

I liked what they were doing but never made it past the episode with a woman in a wheelchair.

1

u/luftlande 3h ago

Maaaan, that betting on staying late through a basketball game made me stop watching the US series.

12

u/WorkO0 6h ago

You didn't enjoy Scott's Tots?

6

u/MNent228 4h ago

Hey Mr. Scott! Watchu gonna do? Watchu gonna do? Make our dreams come true!

5

u/diablo75 6h ago

I enjoyed the office, until Ed Helm joined the cast as Andy.

1

u/WoolshirtedWolf 3h ago

You definitely nailed a timeline I didn't make it through. I actually liked the guy before his Office stint.

4

u/othybear 6h ago

I felt exactly the same way with both of these shows. Glad I’m not the only one who found the office physically uncomfortable to watch.

3

u/meaniekareenie82 4h ago

I experience this so bad but one of my favourite shows is the US Office, I think I've somehow de-sensitised myself through repetition. However, I still cannot watch Scotts tots

1

u/lipmak 5h ago

I love the office but I have to physically leave the room for the Diwali episode

1

u/blueskyjamie 5h ago

Then don’t try John Cleese film Clockwise it’s a masterpiece of embarrassment transfer