The Pros of Blushing Outweigh the Cons

Anonymous

Last month I posted a question asking whether y'all found blushing to be embarrassing. The fact that I posted the question on anonymous should show that I definitely do/did find it embarrassing. And most of the voters (especially the male voters) said that they feel embarrassed about it too:



https://www.girlsaskguys.com/other/q1958184-do-you-find-blushing-to-be-embarrassing



But I did some research and...guess what? The benefits to blushing FAAAAAR outweigh the costs.




The Pros of Blushing Outweigh the Cons






Blushers are perceived more favorably than nonblushers. https://psycnet.apa.org/journals/emo/9/2/287/



Research shows that when people blush during an embarrassing moment, it attenuates observers’ negative evaluation of the incident and the person, lowers the perceived responsibility of the subject, and sustains the person’s trustworthiness. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1023/A:1021352926675



“People understand that when someone is blushing they are feeling embarrassment or shame, and they take this as a sincere acknowledgement of wrongdoing, a sign that they won’t make the same mistake again. Researchers believe that this is adaptive socially—that it could prevent people from being excluded from their group.” https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/raising_happiness/post/the_takeaway_blushing_is_a_good_thing



“Participants who displayed high (vs. low) levels of embarrassment, for equally embarrassing stories, were judged by other participants to be more prosocial (e.g. more cooperative and trustworthy, less selfish and manipulative)[…] and did not appear weaker than other targets[...] Participants reported a greater desire to affiliate (e.g., share a study group) with the embarrassed individuals compared to the proud ones.” https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/in-love-and-war/201205/theres-nothing-wrong-turning-red



Showing embarrassment engenders kindly reactions from observers. https://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED334532



“Historical evidence shows that redness of the cheeks has long been regarded as a sign of facial beauty and youth, and transitory changes such as the blush have also been seen in a positive light as an indication of modesty and charm.” https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1473-2165.2007.00292.x/abstract?userIsAuthenticated=false&deniedAccessCustomisedMessage=



Anyway, if you're still embarrassed about blushing, there are some good tips to alleviate it here: https://www.uncommonhelp.me/articles/how-to-stop-blushing-tips/ However, in the meantime, just know that while blushing may be embarrassing, there are many more benefits to blushing that outweigh the disadvantages.

The Pros of Blushing Outweigh the Cons
11 Opinion