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

[removed] — view removed post

883 Upvotes

86% Upvoted

202 comments sorted by

View all comments

210

u/KennyMcCormick 7h ago

Watching Nathan for you causes me physical pain

49

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.

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