We all know the feeling.

我們都懂這種感覺。

You say or do something that makes your heart pound, your face turn red, and you feel like running away.

你說了或做了某件讓你的心臟怦怦跳、臉頰泛紅，然後想要逃跑的事情。

You are embarrassed.

你覺得丟臉。

But what does this mean and why does it happen?

但這代表什麼，這又是如何發生的呢？

Embarrassment can result from social situations where you feel exposed, self-conscious, or awkward.

人之所以會感到丟臉可能源於一些讓你感到赤裸、不自在或尷尬的社交情境。

On the outside, you may gaze downward, touch your face, or turn your head away.

從外在來說，你可能會往下看、摸自己的臉或別過頭去。

On the inside in some cases, your body releases adrenaline that acts as a natural stimulant.

而在某些情況下，你身體的內部會釋放腎上腺素，一種天然興奮劑。

Your heart rate increases.

你的心跳加速。

Your breathing gets quicker.

你的呼吸急促。

Your muscles may tense up.

你的肌肉緊繃。

And you might even freeze up completely.

你甚至有可能無法動彈。

The release of adrenaline can also cause your blood vessels to dilate, increasing blood flow to all parts of your body, including your face and neck.

腎上腺素的釋放也可能導致你的血管擴張、血流到全身各處，包含你的臉和脖子。

This is what gives your cheeks that nice rosy look, also known as blushing.

這就是為何你的臉頰會染上美麗的玫瑰色，這種狀況也稱之為臉紅。

These reactions are similar to the fight-or-flight response that's triggered when you're in danger.

這些反應與戰鬥或逃跑的反應相似，都會在你身陷危險時被觸發。

Except when you're embarrassed, the only threat might be to your social status.

除了當你感到丟臉時，唯一的威脅可能是你的社會地位。

But feeling embarrassed isn't all bad.

但是感到丟臉不一定只有壞處。

Sure you feel exposed and your cheeks are bright red.

沒錯，你會覺得很赤裸，臉頰也會變成鮮紅色。

But according to some studies, being embarrassed is a sign of emotional intelligence.

但根據一些研究指出，感到丟臉其實是高情商的象徵。

And you're more likely to be forgiven, liked, or trusted if you show signs of embarrassment after you mess up.

如果你在搞砸事情之後表現出丟臉的情緒，你會更容易被他人原諒、喜愛或信任。

So next time you feel embarrassed, just shake it off, we've all been there.

所以下次覺得丟臉時，別太在意了，我們都有相似的經驗。

Thank you very much.

謝謝你們。