The word 'blushing' is a gerund or verbal noun. It is derived from 'blush' which is both a thing and an action. Any person who feels her face going red is in the grip of an involuntary physical reaction, which is both an action and a psychological phenomenon. The duality of the word is a sign of its complexity both linguistically and psychologically and this is an indication of why it is so difficult to stop blushing.
From a linguistic point of view the word has an interesting connotations. It is linked to emotional states that are quite serious, such as shame and guilt, but it also suggests emotions that are positive such as innocence, forgiveness or affection. The word can easily be used to suggest something beautiful or delicate, as for example when a peach with an attractive pink tinge is said to have a blush.
The well know fight-flight response was seen by Aristotle as the fundamental tension at the heart of drama. Shakespeare also appreciated how the basic confusion in a tragedy can be the dilemma of life, whether to act, or not to act. A simple blush signifies the same deep tension between the impulse to run away and the impulse to stay and fight. The tension may cause either a delicate moment of confusion or a tragic choice of action.
So the word touches at once on both deep and superficial emotions. For some people it can be a painful experience connected with deep shame. Others might redden rapidly at a slight social gaffe that passes in a moment.
Although hardened old men may redden in embarrassment occasionally, there is usually good reason for their guilt. Younger people may be more susceptible to the condition and redden without apparent reason. In some cases it can become an issue when it happens so frequently that the very thought of blushing becomes the reason to redden.
In the now feminist world where young women now find themselves in public positions of authority the gender peculiarities can prove awkward. Giving orders from position of authority whilst blushing can cause confusion as both parties might be distracted about why the authority figure is red in the face.
Ostensibly the group of people most prone to the problem is fair skinned young women. Their coloring and physiological characteristics make the slightest heightening of color in their cheeks immediately obvious and the reactions of people about them can compound the confusion. However, males, chameleons, fish and and lizards also blush when their physical receptors transmit certain signals to the brain.
Many people believe that blushing is a sign of social awareness and emotional intelligence. However, those who redden too readily would prefer not to signal any sort of emotional disturbance in public. The best way to stop blushing is to understand social relations and one's own position relative to other people. This comes with age, with experience and with maturity. Such qualities are unfortunately associated with fading charm and allure, so there are some reasons to enjoy the propensity to blush while it lasts.
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