Self-reported expression and consequences of embarrassment in portugal and the u.k

Data was collected by questionnaire from Portuguese and U.K. college students in order to compare self-reports of the physiological/behavioural response associated with embarrassment, coping attempts and observer reactions to the actor's embarrassment in the two cultures. Blushing/increased temperature, increased heart rate and smiling/grinning characterised embarrassment in both cultures, although blushing was referred to with less frequency by the Portuguese sample; gaze aversion was a response specific to the U.K. sample. Smiling/grinning as a method of coping with embarrassment and as a reported reaction from an observer was reported with similar frequency by both samples; gaze aversion as a method of coping with embarrassment was referred to with greater frequency by the U.K sample; staring by observers was mentioned with greater frequency by the Portuguese sample. More intense experiences of embarrassment were reported by the Portuguese sample who also reported being more successful in attempts to control their embarrassment. The results are discussed in relation to national stereotypes.