I don’t know about you, but I hate to “look bad” in front of others but I do it all the time. You know, I trip over my own feet, spill a drink, misremember a name. It’s embarrassing. At the same time, I don’t want my children to grow up thinking they need to feel embarrassed about every little mistake they make. I don’t want them to grow up embarrassed because they accidentally tripped over a curb or gave a wrong answer. That’s where this series of six online studies can help. They reveal a way I can model a different way for my children to respond to minor mistakes…and you can do the same for yours. In these studies, over 3,000 participants read scenarios about other people’s embarrassing mistakes (like walking into a glass door) and how they responded to this situation.

The results suggest a way to respond to the minor blunder and “save face.” All you have to do is laugh. That’s right. Laugh at yourself and your minor mistake. These studies found that people tend to see those who can laugh at their minor mishaps as warmer, more competent, and more authentic than those who act embarrassed. So, not only do you “save face,” but you look good. (One caveat to emphasize though…the mistake has to be harmless—no one getting hurt.)

So, next time you spill your drink, trip over nothing, walk into a glass door, or say the wrong word, laugh it out. It reveals that you recognize the minor mistake and that it does not rattle you. This gives the other people present permission to laugh rather than feel awkward…and so not make a big deal out of your minor mishap. Others will see your laughter and equate it with self-assurance and competence. So go ahead and laugh.