Why are a lot of people afraid to show their emotions in public?

Answer 1

There are a lot of good reasons to not show your emotions in public, depending on the situation. (I'm not trying to dis the concept, just offering a few reasons.)

* Some emotions should be restrained (anger, for example).

* Some emotions will put a person in a vulnerable position, where people may make fun of them or take advantage of them or think less of them. In particular consider sadness; if you're around bullying people, they might make fun of that and taunt you. Or someone might think you're "not strong enough" and think less of you.

* Some emotions will give away your negotiating position, for example, if you show happiness when trying to negotiate a deal, you may lose out because you have to act like you are demanding a better deal.

* Perhaps someone doesn't want to get "into it" with someone, e.g., they are angry but don't want to spend the emotional energy and time on an altercation.

* Someone may want to project a particular image, typically of strength. In other cases, your emotions may give away valuable clues about how you are thinking that people can use against you.

Answer 2

interesting.... in other parts of the world it's almost unexceptable socially to show emotions publically. I imagine in English speaking countires things have evolved from the way things once were. We're all a bit less "proper" and relaxed on that front than once upon a time I suppose. Anyway, I believe it's a cultural thing. People follow social norms, it's the way we work, generally.
In Asia it's not appropriate to affect others around you by your own emotions, you should think of the common good. In America,England, Australia perhaps showing emotions in the past was just unbecoming... not sure though (funny that I know the cultural history of Japan better than my own country).
So actually, I'd say that we might show a whole lot More emotions nowadays and expressing them has become more exceptable than once upon a time. If you look at it in that way, you might say we're progressing. ;-)

Answer 3

You are asking one thing ..... but probably wonder another thing.

People show EMOTION all the time in public. They usually show NEGATIVE or indifferent emotions. The show snide emotions. They show greed, desperation, loneliness, hunger, anxiety, impatience, dominance, forgetfulness, confusion......LOTS of emotions.

You are probably asking why we don't see more compassion, tenderness, vulnerability, generosity, a little tear in the eyes for happiness or sadness..........some JOY, some celebration, some kindness.


I'm in retail and see almost everything every day .....except tears......which I saw yesterday because I'm close to a hospital.



Look at kids......they use their emotions to communicate with nearly everyone.

Answer 4

I think we're just afraid to be embarrassed. Another reason could be that some people don't feel comfortable showing their feelings because they have a hard time trusting others. Also, it may be because of the fear of other people's reactions towards their deepest, truest, rawest emotions so they don't want to get hurt for it.

Answer 5

Simple, most people fear being judged by others. Showing emotion (they think) would be a sign of weakness. Sadly they are wrong emotion can be a powerful ally and is a healthy attribute.

Imagine life without emotion, love and laughter are two of the most powerful, without them we would not be human.

Answer 6

I'm not........
I show my love for "My girl"at all times.......
Opening the door.........holding her hand......carrying her bags.......
finding our little park bench by the river and just having her sit on my lap........kissing her at anytime I can.........etc,etc.
She is the greatest gift that I have received in my life.........
She appreciates it............we appreciate eachother......
Granted when I see some couple practically raping eachother in public,that is sort of gross!
But there is nothing wrong with showing emotions in public..........

Answer 7

I say because most has been abused in some way. So there afraid what people might think of them or take it the wrong way.

Answer 8

I think it starts in their childhood
If you think back if you hurt yourself and then your Mother or Father would say come on stop crying
When children are told to stop crying that is a reinforcement to not do it
So as they grow it becomes normal not to cry.

Love & Blessings
Milly

Answer 9

because mean people are in public - that will make fun of yoy then everybody else will not want to get made fun of so they will join in on laughing at you -------its cool if your a girl then u can just cry and whatnot and youll still be cool---but if a guy does it then he just gets called a fag

Answer 10

Some people like to be tough all the time and act like nothing bothers them