Magpie recently observed (in his comment on my “Disparity”) and I quote: “… I think we tend to laugh at that which embarrasses us. Like slipping on a banana skin, that is so embarrassing.”
His, to me, puzzling observation kept following me around like a stray dog and I have now found him [the dog] a new home: It’s probably a character defect that I don’t laugh at people’s apple peel or banana skins. Worse, I myself am NOT easily embarrassed. I have been in situations that would make normal people want to crawl underneath the next available stone or be swallowed up by that platitudinous hole in the ground. Yet, to me it’s nothing. No doubt a psychologist would have a field day. Or maybe I was a rhino in a previous life.
If and when I make an ass of myself which I do often, fine, so be it. I don’t mind. Which is not the same as saying that I don’t kick myself frequently for having done so.
There is only one occasion in my life when I fled a place in horror, embarrassed beyond belief. Embarrassed not so much because of what had happened to ME but how people reacted to it. I don’t mind telling the full story but then I might embarrass some of YOU. And that wouldn’t be a laughing matter, would it?
Seriously, what embarrasses any of you – other than, say, nasal hair?
U
Bitch on the Blog 
Hello. It’s me back again.
I just hope that next time I slip on a banana skin you are there to pick me up.
I suspect it is a cultural matter. An example: Dog mess on the pavement. Stay with me.
I used to notice children’s reactions to this all too frequent phenomenon when walking classes to, say, the swimming pool for lessons.
A child stepping, inadvertently, on this stuff would elicit a variety of reactions: amusement. horror, disgust, sympathy being the main ones.
Amusement: on the part of English boys and some girls and African-Caribbean boys.
Horror: on the part of the child her/himself and friends and Muslim girls, in particular the Muslim girls.
Disgust: on the part of Muslim children as a whole and a few others.
Sympathy; from African Caribbean girls in particular.
One thing that I never saw was amusement from Muslims. Although it is not stated in the Qu’ran (TTBOMK) dogs are seen as unclean (and to be feared) in Islam. Thus the Muslim lack of laughter and the disgust and horror.
The amusement comes, I suggest, from a feeling of embarrassed relief that “it was not me wot trod in it”.
I believe that the response to programmes on TV such as Little Britain and The Office is due purely to embarrassment. I personally found both programmes excruciatingly embarrassing and sickening. In this I was the odd one out it seems.
As to what embarrasses me? Lack of funds? Other people’s behaviour? My own lack of understanding of situations? Dreams?
Comment by Magpie11 — March 27, 2010 @ 11:03 |
Magpie, you can rely on me. I will pick up the banana skin before you’ve even got a chance to slip on it.
Yes, dog (god) mess – sorry, I have spent too much time over at Ramana’s the last couple of days – it really sorts the squeamish (me) from the furious (me). It stinks, it’s a health hazard and one hell of a bastard to wash off your average shoe (particularly trainers).
My son was up and running at ca 11 months. My parents came to visit a couple of months later and, on one of the many walks along the overcliff, my father (nothing escapes him) observed that his grandson had uncanny knack to negotiate and avoid, with precision, any dog poo in his path. Yeah well, that’s bred in the bone. Though have to say I was a little alarmed for a while that he never soiled any of his bibs either. Still, it taught me that not every baby performs to stereotype and/or helps to enrich koffers of washing powder manufacturers.
Well, Magpie, truth of the matter is that according to your script I am clearly multi cultural, dyed in all the wools of the world and a victim of globalization: I can virtuall identify with any item on your list. Dogs are fine as long as they don’t slobber over me. It’s not their fault that what goes in has to come out, eventually. But there is a place for everything. As, no doubt, you – since only living a couple of hours down the road – will be aware the laws have changed and anyone taking doggy walkies will have to carry a bag and a pooper scooper (that’s why my son decided to go for a cat instead – he was only about nine at the time but knew how to avoid inconvenience and many a plastic bag). That’s what’s so great about cats: They dig up your garden when going to the “toilet”, chase all the neighbour’s beloved birds, eat the goldfish but at least you don’t have to – physically – deal with the fallout of catfood.
As to embarrassment: I most certainly agree with you that lack of funds does not contribute to happiness. No wonder the banks charge you £38 for going overdrawn by 15 p.
U
Comment by bitchontheblog — March 30, 2010 @ 15:48 |
I’m embarrassed right now. See below:
I need a water pressure gauge I could borrow for an afternoon so I can check the pressure on our faucets outside in preparation for installing a proper sprinkler system. If you have one I could borrow for an hour or so that would be wonderful.
Many thanks in advance
Andy
Get with the SOUTHWEST. Plant Grama & Buffalo grass. Sprinklers such a waste of water & not needed. Fertilizer, mowing- Yuck. bikehikebabe
Thanks for your unsolicited opinion. My veggie garden doesn’t grow too well without water. Andy
OPPS Sorry! Great for you! You’ll have organic veggies!!!
We live on edge of the canyon. Had a vegetable garden for 20 yrs. that did fine (with watering). Then the gophers, rabbits, squirrels, skunks, fox, deer, bear, maybe not coyotes (I’ve forgot a few) ate it all. If not the blossoms, a bite out of each squash etc. Bikehikebabe
(Now I’ve told him his garden will be a failure.)
Comment by bikehikebabe — March 28, 2010 @ 19:19 |
Bike Hike Babe, calm yourself and do not be embarrassed by people like Andy who have money, yet no conscience, to install water sprinklers but can’t be arsed to purchase their own water pressure gauge. Though you may send him round my place to borrow a cup of sugar, a pinch of salt and one broken lawn mower.
I agree with you: Go with the flow or rather the depleted soil you put your tent on. Even if it means you only grow one miserable cactus a year – at least it’ll be organic.
U
Comment by bitchontheblog — March 30, 2010 @ 15:57 |
I am embarrrassed when I hit “Submit Comment” and notice there is a spelling error just after it is too late.
Comment by Looney — March 30, 2010 @ 14:41 |
Same here, Looney. Still, it makes us human in the eyes of those less perfect than our anal selves.
U
Comment by bitchontheblog — March 30, 2010 @ 14:58 |