QOTW: A Lack Of Shame
August 27, 2007 | Filed under Family & Friends, Q.O.T.W.
So it turns out that I’ll probably become one of those parents that inevitably embarass their children in any social situation. Whilst waiting for the bus today with my younger brother, I’m plugged into my iPod as usual, and singing along softly.
“Stop it,” he hisses to me.
Oblivious, I continue singing.
“Stop it,” he repeats, poking me hard this time. “People are staring, you’re drawing attention to yourself.”
I stare at him. “And the problem is…”
A lack of social awareness perhaps? Immunity from feeling shame and embarassment? Or simply a desire to make my brother cringe with embarassment? He has a long way to go before he learns that people’s opinions don’t matter, and that the important thing is to feel comfortable in one’s own skin.
Question of the Week: Are you often embarrassed to be in out in public with a member of your family, or are you the one that embarrasses them?
18 Responses to QOTW: A Lack Of Shame
Leave a Reply
I reserve the right to edit or delete your comment as I see fit, though I only delete comments from anonymous commenters, or people with multiple aliases. Using a genuine name/email combination will ensure that your comment is approved.
Depending on how loudly you do it, though, singing on the bus can easily annoy the people around you. It’s not really about what “other people think”, but about the fact that perhaps keeping more quiet can be a courtesy. I think that if you were just humming along, it’s all right… but I’ve run into groups of stupid teenagers who sing really loudly and badly because “they don’t care what other people think” and it pisses me off completely.
Chantelle on August 27, 2007 #
I’m the embarrassment. In fact, I thoroughly enjoy yelling ‘BOOBIES!’ at the top of my lungs while walking with my family down the busier streets in Hamilton.
I lip-sync when it comes to listening to music on my iPod, which apparently embarrasses my friends. Next time, I’m going to SING!
Nellie on August 27, 2007 #
My grandma used to talk REALLY LOUDLY when on public transport and my grandpa used to walk around while spitting phlegm on the ground. I guess they got used to it while in China, but it used to embarass somewhat. Now they’re more used to Australian life style and does that less.
(OMG new layout?!)
Belinda on August 27, 2007 #
Yes – my mother has a notorious habit of talking aggressively even though she doesn’t mean it. So if she asks someone to do something, the person thinks she’s attacking.
I walk away and pretend not to know her at that point. I think it’s a parent’s obligation to embarrass their kid. I don’t think there are that many “Lorelai Gilmore” as moms these days =P
Mish on August 27, 2007 #
My parents always used to embarrass me; my dad did Justin Timberlake dancing and ballet in front of my friends (who loved it, unfortunately) and they used to sing down the phone to them too.
Now I’m the embarrassing one! I always wanted to be the cool older sister but, alas, no. I’m the one who sings a little too loudly — like you — and has no dignity, apparently.
Amber on August 27, 2007 #
Interesting how the layout changed from the time I viewed your entry to the time I posted it. I like it — nice and clean.
Amber on August 27, 2007 #
My mother and I aim to embarrass each other it seems.
Kimmie on August 27, 2007 #
I’m the clumsiest person ever born, so naturally I plan to take over the world by embarrassing everyone and their grandma.
Ramsha on August 27, 2007 #
I am not the person who causes embarrassment. I’m a little on the clumsy side and sometimes I slip but I don’t do anything that would make someone embarrassed to be with me. But- I don’t consider being with someone who sings along with their iPod to be particularly embarrassing.
I like jing-wen.com’s new look, by the way. Pink FTW.
Chantelle on August 28, 2007 #
I am mostly the one to embarrass others. Usually it’s because I am singing or dancing or because I can’t control some hyper-energized spasm.
Nan on August 28, 2007 #
My dad’s drilled into my mind never to be overly loud. As such I mostly speak in a whisper to most people (that I don’t know very well). My mom’s constantly rolling her eyes at me when I’m on the phone. Last time I apparently spoke so quietly when asking for directions that the phone company called me back thinking they had a defective connection :P
Anyway, I’m constantly looking around myself making sure that people ignore me… or that I’m not bothering them at the very least. yeah, I’m really quite pathetic that way.
Vera on August 28, 2007 #
I would be the one embarrassing my family. I really have no shame in certain respects – dancing in public, singing in public, undressing in public (I once stripped down in the front seat of a car driving along a traffic-jammed highway just because I was “way too hot”).
I’m also the kind of older sister who enjoys saying things for the shock factor. But unlike some other embarrassing older sisters, I known when not to be embarrassing. :P
Chanel on August 28, 2007 #
My dad is probably the most embarrassing and overprotective parent ever in existence. He LOVES to make a scene (see this post) and is really loud. On top of that, whenever I ask him to take me somewhere, he can’t just drop me off but insists on walking me to the door and not leaving for five minutes to ensure I’m safe. :P
Belinda on August 28, 2007 #
Forgot to say, I love the new layout by the way!
Belinda on August 28, 2007 #
It usually works both ways. I guess that’s where I got it from, the parents with the embarrassing factor. Lolzz.
Love the theme! :D
Juice on August 28, 2007 #
My parents still embarrass me and my little sister on occasion, especially our dad. But I know they’re just teasing most of the time, and I find it endearing once I’ve gotten over it. :P
But really, I’m the one who embarrasses myself all the time. You wouldn’t believe all the silly and stupid things I end up doing in public. I’ve learned not to care and just be happy with myself though. Once you get over the ego, it’s lots of fun!
Aravis on August 28, 2007 #
My sisters and mom sometimes embarrass me in public, but I’m guessing I embarrass them equally (I’m just oblivious), so it all evens out. :)
I like the new layout, although I’ll miss the previous introduction on the sidebar.
Kycoo on August 28, 2007 #
My mum used to have a delightful habit of humiliating me in company by saying things to make me look childish or stupid. I know she was just horsing around, but some of the comments she came out with were real winners…
Jordie on September 4, 2007 #