Subaru is not an American Car: An embarrassing moment
Here in Ithaca, NY I see a lot of Subaru’s on the road. They have one of the highest ratings as an all weather/all wheel drive vehicle, and one of the highest safety ratings of any car (so I’ve been told).
I feel good entering the Subaru/Hyundai dealership. My appointment for 11 a.m. is with Rachel (name changed for the sake of privacy). She is direct in her communication, attractive, and carries herself in a pleasant manner.
We continue to explore options together. The car I have my eyes on is a Subaru Sport with upgraded sound system and all weather floor liners. We explore some financial options however nothing seems to be fitting into my budget. Cars got more expensive compared to pre-covid times.
At this point I lower my voice and say “I’ve been wanting to switch to an American car and Subaru seems to be a great fit for me.” There’s a pause, and then Rachel says “Subaru is actually a Japanese car.”
How embarrassing! Why did I think Subaru was American made? Is it because of how popular they are here in Ithaca? Is it because they are great off road vehicles? Why would I think that?
For me, being embarrassed is accompanied with shame. I feel ignorant. How could this happen? Why did I not know any better?
Embarrassing moments are important. They are humbling. You don’t know nearly as much as you think you do. You actually know very little compared to how much you don’t know. Embarrassment can keep you in check. It also makes for a hilarious story. Rachel remained professional and polite, but I sure felt awkward. “Thanks for you time” I said. Then I got up and walked out.
Forgetting someone’s name, slipping and falling down, farting at an inappropriate time, or even telling a crude joke to your friend while simultaneously realizing the room has gone silent and everyone hears you; these could all be embarrassing.
According to Stephanie Vozza on Fast Company, embarrassment can lead us to be more prepared.
The anticipation of being embarrassed can help us to better prepare for challenging situations.
“If you’re giving a high-stakes presentation on behalf of your team to a potential client, you’ll both likely think through the content and potential reactions,” says Susan David, PhD, a Harvard Medical School psychologist and author of Emotional Agility. “Potential embarrassment leads us to prepare more; we want to be able to answer the questions and to not let down our team.”
Takeaway
it’s ok to be embarrassed!
preparation will lessen the chance of experiencing embarrassment.