Teachers Share What Facts Students Told Them About Themselves That They Probably Wish They Hadn't (30 Posts)

Redditor Kriss0509 told Bored Panda about what inspired them to create the successful thread in the first place. "I saw someone talk about the fact that this question is everywhere and how much they hate it, so I thought others would have good stories to share as well," they said.

We also wanted to get Kriss0509's opinion as to why students would share such private (and sometimes shocking) information about themselves. In the redditor's opinion, these students might share facts like this because they want to stand out and get attention. The redditor also suggested the simple idea that they share weird facts about themselves because they simply can't think of anything else "in the heat of the moment."

The redditor added that, in their opinion, it's best to leave some of the things that students shared with their teachers a mystery, as they're much, much too private to be shared openly with everyone.

Vanessa Bohns, Associate Professor of Organizational Behavior at Cornell University and Visiting Scholar at the Department of Management and Organizations at the NYU Stern School of Business, explained to Bored Panda that sharing very private information with others helps bond with them.

"Research finds that disclosure leads to liking, and the more intimate the disclosure, the more trusting and warm we see someone as being. Sharing very private information is a particularly intimate form of disclosure, which can make both parties feel closer to one another—both the person who has disclosed the private information, and the person listening," she said.

We also wanted to find out whether or not embarrassment is something that's 'taught' and why some students might not feel embarrassed sharing incredibly private information.

"As an emotion, embarrassment appears to be fairly universal—embarrassment is displayed across different cultures and age groups," Bohns said.

"However, the specific situations that cause someone to feel embarrassed are more culturally relative, i.e., they are 'taught' via cultural norms. So, what may be mortifying to one group (e.g., younger students) may not be as mortifying another group, and vice versa."

The memorable facts that these students shared make it seem like they’re either very brave, don’t feel embarrassment the same way others do, or they don’t care about the consequences being this open might have.

Whatever the case might be, these students might just be on to something by being so honest. Sharing private information and opening up to others is a great way to bond and form strong relationships, according to researchers. What’s more, being honest like this can make you more likable.

However, showing embarrassment can be very powerful in social situations and help build emotional bonds, too. Bohns told Bored Panda during an earlier interview that embarrassment is very socially adaptive.

“Being embarrassed signals to other people that you care about what they think. And that actually draws people in to you. So, blushing, burying your head in your hands, laughing, acknowledging how embarrassing something was, are all totally healthy ways to react,” she said.

However, there are certain things that you should avoid doing when you’re in an embarrassing situation. “The unhealthy way to react is to pretend you’re not embarrassed, that you didn’t make a mistake, or to get angry. Those things undo the positive effect that embarrassment typically has on other people by conveying insincerity and pushing people away rather than drawing them in.”

In short, if you open up to others and have the common sense to be embarrassed about things that are actually embarrassing, you might become one of the most likable people in your social circle. Honesty and genuine reactions trump fakeness.