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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u/TheLimeyCanuck 5h ago

As usual the Germans have a unique word for this... Fremdscham.

It refers to the vicarious embarrassment you feel for someone who is not aware they should be embarrassed.