Is there a difference between embarrassed and ashamed?

Question

And if so, what is the difference in serverity between the two?

Answer 1

If you drop a wine glass in a restaurant, you will be embarrassed but there is no shame. Shame is for people who knowingly do things that are wrong. Embarrassment can be for stupidity, Klutziness......etc

Answer 2

They are completely different. To be ashamed means to feel bad about something. You might be ashamed of something you've done because you know it was the wrong thing to do or you might feel ashamed of someone in your family. Embarrassment often accompanies shame but you can be embarrassed without being at all ashamed. You can be embarrassed about something good like if your partner makes a very romantic but very public gesture that attracts a lot of attention from well meaning strangers who point and smile, or if you win an award and have to make an acceptance speech in front of hundreds of people.

Answer 3

I think you can be embarrassed without being ashamed. If you trip over your own feet, you're embarrassed. But not ashamed - that would imply that you carry that shame with you for a really long time. Shame comes from doing something you know was horribly wrong. Embarrassment comes from doing the same stupid things that everyone does at one point or another.

Answer 4

yes there is a difference. The difference is you can be embarrased and laugh at yourself but when your ashamed then you just feel really low like i wish i never did that you know.
For example if i fall down some stairs i would be very embarrassed but not ashamed. If i kissed my friends exboyfriend i would be ashamed if anyone ever foumnd out.

I tried hope you understand.

pease,love,one

Answer 5

Embarrassed means to cause to feel self-conscious or ill at ease.
Ashamed means, feeling shame; distressed or embarrassed by feelings of guilt, foolishness, or disgrace.

It seems that to most anything can embarrass you, however being ashamed is a feeling that is a result of being embarrassed by doing something or someone else doing something embarassing.

Answer 6

embarrassed is when you do something unintentional, like, fall up the stairs, or toot in the elevator. Ashamed is when your actions make you feel guilty, telling a friend her boyfriend is ugly just because you're jealous then regretting it later. Doing something mean, or spiteful in the heat of the moment, then feeling bad about it later is ashamed.

Answer 7

Embarassed is when you do something that is embarrassing, usually by accident - spill food on yourself, fall down in public, fart in public, etc.

Ashamed has more to do with what you do on purpose that is harmful or hurtful to others or yourself. Example: If you are a gambling addict who has taken up gambling, no one else need know, but you feel ashamed. That is a more personal feeling, being ashamed, because it goes against something that you know you should not have done, goes against your own moral code.

Answer 8

To feel embarrassed is when you do something unwittingly or unknowingly silly but it is easily forgiveable and you can laugh about it later.

To feel ashamed of something is when you've done something immoral, unethical or very wrong that is difficult to forgive and forget.

Feeling ashamed is far worse than embarrassed.

Answer 9

Yes, the difference is when you're embarrassed it is usually because of something that happened, falling, passing gas in public. When you're ashamed it is because of something you done that you regret, ashamed sleeping with someone and waking up not knowing his name.

Answer 10

Good question to ponder! Yes, I would say embarrassed pertains to our ego. Ashamed pertains to how we feel about what we have done and knowing it is wrong. Ashamed would be a much more intense feeling because it can mean feeling that you have let down others, yourself, God and feeling guilt for the action. Embarrassed is simply having your ego bruised for a little while.

Answer 11

I think that embarrassed is supposed to mean that you're thinking "Oh no! Did anyone see? I wish that didn't happen!" Where as ashamed is wishing that you didn't do something. Usually when you are embarrassed when it was not your fault. Ashamed is when you did something wrong and you know it. Good question!