As usual we have a word in German that perfectly describes what we witnessed tonight.
It's called "Fremdschämen" and it's the vicarious embarrassment you get when you see something so deeply mortifying, you feel embarrassed just watching it.
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@fribbledom The English "cringeworthy" seems related, though it refers to the event rather than the feeling.
@frank87 @fribbledom As a literal translation, it is correct, but I have never once heard anyone say "second-hand embarrassment."
That doesn't include the idea the people involved don't feel any embarrassment, like the proposed Dutch "plaatsvervangende schaamte", but I think that's a reasonable translation.
(German 'fremd' means doesn't belong. The Dutch "plaatsvervangende" means in stead of, substitute).