How to Overcome Public Humiliation: Tips For Baby Boomers and Seniors

Have you ever been humiliated in public? It was probably not much fun for you or others. Public humiliation is an intimidating, demeaning, bullying tactic employed by those seeking power, in every part of the world. It affects and influences others adversely, on every level of society. Potential violence can result from it.  

Everyone, including baby boomers and seniors, are publicly humiliated, at one time or another. No one enjoys being humiliated, especially when he or she is humiliated in public, because it is embarrassing and can do serious, ego damage. Learning to face, deal with or overcome public humiliation is never easy, but it is necessary for human survival. Being afraid of public exposure because of possible humiliation can become an emotionally paralyzing experience.

In order to deal with public humiliation, it is important to understand what is happening and why.

What is humiliation?

Freedictionary.com suggests that humiliation is the “act of humiliating” or the “degradation” of someone.

It is “the state of being humiliated” or being “disgraced” and often results in feelings of “shame.” This can happen on a personal level, in groups or on a larger scale involving more people or the public in general. 

Regardless of how, when, why or where it occurs it is “a humiliating condition” and an embarrassing “circumstance.”

Consider these ways to overcome public humiliation.

What is the source of the public humiliation?

When you are humiliated in public, it is important to recognize the source of the humiliation. Who is behind the public humiliation?

Humiliating others may be an attention-getting device. Many people become the targets of those who humiliate others publicly because of something they write, publish or state. At times, there may be some degree of justification, but not always.

Public humiliation may reveal clues that can pinpoint the source, but not always. At times, the source remains unknown. Does the source of humiliation really matter? Just how important is it?

What is the reason for the humiliation?

There are many reasons why people humiliate others in public. For instance, a politician may be publicly humiliated in order to cause his or her opponent to lose an election. There are times when designated people intentionally humiliate others in public. Sometimes, it is competitive humiliation. 

Public humiliation may occur when a speaker is unpopular, or what he or she is stating is not acceptable to the public. At times, there may be some degree of justification, but not always.

Some people humiliate others publicly because they do not know any better. They may think it is fun or maybe they are intoxicated or using abusive substances. If people realized the seriousness of what they were doing and faced the reality that they could go to prison for inciting a riot, they would never humiliate anyone in public.  

Can you defend yourself from public humiliation?

You can attempt to defend yourself or you can continue with what you are doing or saying. The choice is ultimately yours. Allowing others to come to your defense may place you in a better light than attempting to defend yourself.   

Should you attempt to defend yourself?

A person who is being humiliated should maintain an aura and attitude of dignity and respect. In other words, never seek to resolve a matter by sinking to the level of the person who is humiliating you. There are times when an attempt at self-defense can result in it backfiring and public humiliation escalates. That is not always the case, as gifted orators in every era have defended themselves successfully.

Ignoring and rising above attempts at public humiliation:

Many people with various roles in society become continual targets of public humiliation. For them, learning how to ignore it or rise above it is the key to dealing with and overcoming public humiliation.  

Note that the person being humiliated who is able to rise above it, is then in a position of positive, pro-active power. Turning the tide, allows the energy from the anger generated from a response to public humiliation to transition from a negative force to one that is constructive, rather than destructive.  

If you are a person who is humiliated publicly, learn how to use that power wisely and gain the love and respect of the public. You will succeed.