Shyness

Question

Hello there ...
I would like to ask about an Expression itself. Because it is kind of confusing for me to express two different feelings by the same Adj.
The following examples will explain:

*The first situation:
-Ashley had her First rehearsal at the national theater yesterday,she seemed very shy, and she was Blushing most of the time.

-After the rehearsal, She received a lot of compliments about her acting. She did nothing but blushing and saying "Thank you".

*The second situation:
-She was deeply (shy-blushing) for her bad behavior at the party.

So i see there are tow kinds of shyness ..
The first one when you are flattered, Or getting a compliment.

And the second feeling when you are feeling guilty about what you have done.

So the question is :
Is the word "shy or blush" right in such a situation "the second one of course" ?

Thanks in advance.

BarbaraPA · Accepted Answer

The PainkillerHello there ... I would like to ask about an expression, ~~itself.~~ because it is kind of confusing for me to express two different feelings with the same verb. The following examples will explain: *The first situation: -Ashley had her first rehearsal at the national theater yesterday. She seemed very shy, and she was blushing most of the time. -After the rehearsal, she received a lot of compliments about her acting. She did nothing but blush~~ing~~ and say~~ing~~ "Thank you". *The second situation: -She was ~~deeply (shy-~~blushing) because of her bad behavior at the party. So I see there are two kinds of shyness .. The first one when you are flattered, or getting a compliment, and the second ~~feeling~~ when you are feeling guilty about what you have done. So the question is : Is the word "shy or blush" right in such a situation "the second one of course" ? Thanks in advance.

Hello Painkiller.

Shy and blush are not synonymous. Shy is an adjective. Someone who is shy doesn't like a lot of attention, although someone who is shy may be embarrassed at the attention. Shyness and embarrassment are not synonymous. Shyness is part of your temperment. Embarrassment is a temporary condition.

Blush is a verb. It is an involutary physical response to emotion. You might blush (or flush) because you are embarrassed over the attention you are getting if you are are shy, or if you are embarrassed over something you did, or if you are angry, or if you are about to cry, or even when you are about to speak in front a large group. You cannot link the physical act of blushing solely with one particular emotion (although it's often thought of as being associated with the embarrassment of getting compliments when you are shy).

The Painkiller · Answer

Well i guess i got it all.
But i have another question related to the subject.

What about the phrasal verb " ashamed of" ?

In the light of talking about Shyness, what has "ashamed of" got to do with that?

Thanks in advance.

BarbaraPA · Answer

In my opinion, you are ashamed over actions that you have the ability to control, and that are serious. You are embarrassed about things outside of your control, or that are minor.

If I fall on the ice and everyone sees my underwear, I might be a little embarrassed, but not ashamed. (out of my control)

If I hog a little too much of the conversation, I might be embarrassed, but not ashamed, as I reflect on my behavior. (in my control, but it's not that serious)

If I speak cruel words to my children, I will be ashamed. (in my control and a more serious act.)

I would suggest that whether you are embarrassed or ashamed will also be affected by your culture.

Shyness

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