n. A contrived situation in which suppressed emotion can be expressed in a prescribed vicarious socio-normative manner.
The very existence of such words suggest that our culture (from time immemorial) has tacitly understood that it demands emotional abstinence. From soldiers to rape victims, from the bereaved to the ruined, your public display of intense emotions makes us uncomfortable. You can be upset, weep, rage, crumble, but only at the appropriate time.
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What better reason to buck the norm?
Posted by: Janet at December 14, 2006 7:33 PMI think we get upset about public displays because we realize it could be happening to us. We try to be brave outwardly until tragedy strikes. Then we rely on our support system of friends and family to protect us in any way they have come to know we will allow them or ask them to. And, I will add that it need not be about victims of any kind of abuse. It can be about personal disasters of health and/or emotional intrigues.
Posted by: papa at December 14, 2006 8:36 PMSong lyrics: Don't rock the boat, baby. It makes me think of that old joke about hell with the punch line, "Dooooonnnn't maaaakkkke waaaaavvves."
Posted by: ma at December 15, 2006 8:35 AM