looking for a word...

[paganangel]

you know when someone is quiet because hey feel guilty and are trying to be extra nice. sheepish in contrition.

like they should say something to someone but they've wronged them in some way and now they're afraid to say anything for fear of beinmg though of as more impolite? is there a word for that state? i feel like there is and as soon as i hear it i'll smack myself on the forehead and say 'duh'

 

[honeylick]

it's awful late to try and think of 10-point words.

 

[John Doe]

it's awful late to try and think of 10-point words.

It pisses me off when people cheat, especially at Scrabble/Words With Friends.

 

[paganangel]

lol. i'm writing. i have a character who needed something; he offered work to a guy hoping while he was employed, he'd handle another problem.

it worked out but the employee realises the real motive in the process and when he leaves the employer knows he can't convince him to stay so he just gives the guy a speech. he's trying so hard to make up for his misdeed that when the employee interrupts him he snaps. now he feels even worse and feel like just shutting up, but knows his advice will help the guy and feel he owes him more than____?____. [silence over what little recompense he can offer] so he swallows his timidity and guilt to continue with the advice.


ugh. that's even more confusing.

 

[Honey123]

contrite?

 

[Angellica1612]

Have you tried asking this in the Author's Hangout?

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

The word is SHY.

Maybe SHAMEFACED.

 

[fadetoblack2011]

tough one ha! dont know if there is th word!!

 

[Stewart_Pidd]

The word is SHY.

Maybe SHAMEFACED.

geenyus bro!

Stew

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

tough one ha! dont know if there is th word!!

Its SHY.

 

[honeylick]

lol. i'm writing. i have a character who needed something; he offered work to a guy hoping while he was employed, he'd handle another problem.

it worked out but the employee realises the real motive in the process and when he leaves the employer knows he can't convince him to stay so he just gives the guy a speech. he's trying so hard to make up for his misdeed that when the employee interrupts him he snaps. now he feels even worse and feel like just shutting up, but knows his advice will help the guy and feel he owes him more than____?____. [silence over what little recompense he can offer] so he swallows his timidity and guilt to continue with the advice.


ugh. that's even more confusing.

i read all that and think 'lipservice' but that's not really right either.

 

[paganangel]

i read all that and think 'lipservice' but that's not really right either.

no. i did some rewriting so it's a moo point now.
i'm convinced if i could properly explain the context, someone could get the word.
i suspect however, it may be one of those contexts only truly defined buy the one damned word that describes it.

but we've all been in that situation.
"fuck, he's pissed at me. just don't say anything, you'll only make it worse. but this will help him, completely unrelated to what he's pissed about. but he won't see it that way. fuck it if he's mad, it's the right thing to do. if i truly want to make up for it, i'll put how he feels about me second to help him."

thanks anyway.

 

[Super-Surprise]

How about "honeylicked"!

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

you know when someone is quiet because hey feel guilty and are trying to be extra nice. sheepish in contrition.

like they should say something to someone but they've wronged them in some way and now they're afraid to say anything for fear of beinmg though of as more impolite? is there a word for that state? i feel like there is and as soon as i hear it i'll smack myself on the forehead and say 'duh'

Youre a POS. You cant find the right word cuz the character isnt clear in your mind. In the first post you allude to shyness, and in the last its changed to discrete.

Go away.