Embarrassment

Welcome to the IELTS TIME podcast! Today, we’re diving into the topic of embarrassment — something we’ve all experienced. To help you get a feel for how to answer these questions confidently and naturally, we’ll listen to Joseph’s sample responses. After the dialogue, I’ll break down his answers and highlight some useful vocabulary. Let’s get started!

Why do people feel embarrassed?

Well, I think people feel embarrassed when they believe they’ve done something that goes against social norms or expectations. It’s often tied to how others might perceive us — like if we make a mistake in public or say something awkward, we immediately become self-conscious. I guess it’s just a natural emotional response that helps us fit in with society. For example, if someone trips while walking or forgets what they were about to say during a presentation, they might feel a wave of embarrassment, even if others don’t really care. It’s less about the actual mistake and more about the fear of being judged

What are some common situations where people feel embarrassed?

I think embarrassment can happen in all kinds of everyday situations. One common example is when someone says something incorrect in front of a group, like mispronouncing a word or giving the wrong answer. People also feel embarrassed if they accidentally break something in public, or if their phone rings loudly during a serious meeting. Even small things like having food stuck in your teeth or waving at someone who wasn’t actually waving at you — those moments tend to trigger that awkward feeling. It’s usually when something unexpected makes us feel exposed or judged

Do you think embarrassment is always a negative emotion?

I’d argue no, not always. While it certainly feels negative in the moment – that hot flush and wanting the ground to swallow you up – it can actually serve a positive social function. It’s a signal that we’ve perhaps crossed a line or made a mistake, which can then prompt us to reflect on our actions and adjust our behaviour to better fit social norms. So, in that sense, it can be a useful, self-regulating emotion that helps us navigate social interactions more effectively.

Do people in different cultures get embarrassed by different things?

Absolutely, I think so. While some things might be universally embarrassing, like public mistakes, the specifics definitely vary. Cultural norms and values play a huge role. For example, in some cultures, public displays of affection might be highly embarrassing, whereas in others, they’re perfectly normal. Similarly, topics like money, family issues, or even certain types of humour can cause embarrassment in one culture but not another, depending on how openly those things are discussed or perceived. It really highlights how deeply intertwined our emotions are with our cultural upbringing.

How can people cope with embarrassing situations?

I think the best way to cope is to acknowledge it and move on. Trying to ignore it or pretend it didn’t happen often makes it worse. A quick, lighthearted apology or even just a small laugh at yourself can defuse the tension. Also, reminding yourself that most people are far too focused on their own lives to dwell on your embarrassing moment helps. It’s usually a much bigger deal in your own head than it is to anyone else. And finally, learning from it if there’s a lesson to be learned, and then letting it go.

Can embarrassing experiences help people grow emotionally?

Definitely, I believe they can. While uncomfortable, embarrassing experiences often force us to confront our own imperfections and our public image. This can lead to increased self-awareness and a better understanding of social dynamics. It can also build resilience – once you’ve been through a few mortifying moments and survived, you realise you’re tougher than you thought. Ultimately, these experiences can help us develop a more realistic and perhaps even more compassionate view of ourselves and others, making us more emotionally mature.

That was Joseph giving us a really thoughtful and well-rounded set of answers on today’s IELTS Speaking topic — embarrassment. I think what stood out most about his performance is how grounded and natural his responses were, which is exactly what makes for a high-scoring answer in Part 3 of the test.

He started by exploring why people feel embarrassed, and I thought he nailed it when he said it’s not so much about the actual mistake itself, but more about the fear of being judged. That idea — that embarrassment often comes from going against social expectations, or from how we think others are viewing us — is such an insightful way to frame it. He also used some very natural and expressive language, like self-conscious and a wave of embarrassment, to describe that sudden, sinking feeling we all know.

When the examiner asked about common situations where people feel embarrassed, Joseph gave a few very familiar and realistic examples — like mispronouncing a word in public, having food stuck in your teeth, or waving at someone who wasn’t actually waving at you. It was a great reminder that embarrassment tends to strike in everyday moments, often when we feel unexpectedly exposed. What really worked here was the way Joseph described those situations without overexplaining — using phrases like awkward feeling and feeling exposed, which helped keep his language vivid and natural.

The next question — Is embarrassment always a negative emotion? — brought out a really interesting idea. Joseph pointed out that, while embarrassment feels unpleasant in the moment, it can actually serve a useful function. It acts almost like an emotional signal, showing us that we might have crossed a social line, and giving us a chance to reflect and adjust our behaviour. I thought his phrase self-regulating emotion was particularly strong — it’s clear, precise, and shows a deeper understanding of how emotions work in social situations, which is something IELTS examiners definitely appreciate.

Then there was the question about cultural differences. Joseph emphasized that while some situations — like making a public mistake — might be universally awkward, what people find embarrassing can really vary depending on culture. He gave a good example with public displays of affection: in some countries, that’s perfectly normal, while in others, it might be seen as inappropriate or even shameful. He tied that nicely to the idea that our sense of embarrassment is shaped by cultural upbringing — again, a great insight delivered in simple, clear language.

When it came to coping with embarrassing situations, Joseph gave a realistic and relatable response. He said that simply acknowledging the moment — and maybe even laughing at yourself — can help ease the tension. What I liked here is that he didn’t over-dramatize it. He kept it practical and believable. And he included the point that, in most cases, the moment feels much bigger in your own head than it does to anyone else. That’s a really effective way of expressing a common truth, and it makes the answer feel authentic without sounding too casual.

Finally, the examiner asked whether embarrassing experiences can help people grow emotionally, and Joseph wrapped things up with a mature and reflective response. He talked about how these moments force us to confront our imperfections, and how learning to handle them can build both resilience and empathy. One line that really stood out to me was when he described it as helping us develop a more compassionate view of ourselves. That’s the kind of emotional awareness that really elevates a Speaking Part 3 answer — it shows not just language ability, but also depth of thought.

Overall, Joseph’s responses hit all the right notes. His language was fluent and natural, his ideas were clearly developed, and he demonstrated emotional intelligence without sounding scripted.

If you’re preparing for IELTS Speaking, I’d really encourage you to take today’s episode as a kind of model. Try answering the same questions yourself, but bring in your own voice and your own examples. Don’t be afraid to share a personal story — even a slightly embarrassing one — because that’s what makes your answers feel real and relatable.

And that’s it for today’s episode on embarrassment. Next time, we’ll be covering a Part 1 topic — the sky. See you soon!