Are you embarrassed – or ashamed?

Moderate levels of embarrassment are signs of virtue!

That’s what UC Berkeley psychologists have determined. If that public stumble or forgotten names leaves you feeling a bit flush, don’t fight it. It turns out we trust people more when they exhibit some level of embarrassment when it’s appropriate. People who naturally have some sense of humility are considered pro-social – while those who don’t get flustered one bit tend to be a bit more anti-social, less generous and less likeable.

There is a significant difference between embarrassed and ashamed. Aside from blushing, typical gestures of embarrassment would be a smirk or grimace, a downward gaze to the side or partially covering your face. Those who cover their entire face, close their eyes or drop their head completely down have surpassed moderate embarrassment and entered the realm of shame.