Charlmot 2023-10-29 12:53:21

Ive seen a lot of people cry in front of others, but i personally can't bring myself to. It feels embarrassing for me as well

Guidodinho 2023-10-30 06:27:49

Very common feeling. Very much a reason why a lot of men, bottle-up their emotions until they snap into a mental breakdown. But could apply to women and children too, of course.

And that's why the expression 'a shoulder to cry on' exists. So the one who has to cry, can release the waterworks out the eyes, with another person in private, so nobody has to feel embarrased about it.

Guidodinho 2023-10-30 07:36:06

@Cosmiccookie2000
Oooh no, its certainly no product of a certain time period. It's timeless. Primal even.
Especially with many people around, there could be ones amongst them, with bad intentions, or outright hostile. So it's a natural instinct, to try hide weakness as much as possible with others around, so that potential enemies, or competitors in whatever situation, can't take advantage of it. Dates all the way back to the cavemen days.

The thing about recent/modern times, I think, is exactly the opposite. That only relatively recently (recent as in the last couple of deccades) it is slowly, and gradualy, generaly more socially excepted to cry with others around.
Because in more modern cultures, hiding weakness is becoming less important because of improved safety, and less need to have strong and tough attitudes around.
Making honest and clear communication, slowly but surely, a bigger factor than strength, at least, that's what I believe is gradualy developping socialy.

As of the portayal in media, depends on all the stuff you have been exposed to in general. A more conservative presentation will probably portray it, just as you described, it just being a sign of weakness.
And more modern/progressive media, is very likely to present it as a good thing, probably even throwing in the cliché of calling the one crying brave.

I'm not gonna pick a side between those two, as the truth probably lies somewhere in the middle. And it's always dependant on the context of the speciffic emotional situation, or course.

Guidodinho 2023-10-30 07:46:32

But if I try to put it simple. It's very subjective. And very dependant on context. If you'd compare 2 extremes:

If a grown adult drops an icecream cone. And starts crying up a river. Yeah, very much a weakness.

But if someone were to lose their whole family in some violent murder, or tragic accident, then just going on with the day like it's some minor misshap.
Then people will probably think that not-crying person might be some kinda psychopath.