Why is it that crying in front of others is seen as a weakness?

I really don't understand. It's something all humans do, yet we tell others that it's a shameful or weak thing to do it. Ironically, most of the strongest people I've ever know I have seen cry at least once.

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firefall · 61-69, M

well at a visceral level, you are more vulnerable when you cry - both because you literally can't see well, and because you're obviously focussed on your pain so not paying attention to other things. I've never regarded it as a weakness personally, but I imagine the social attitude is rooted in that vulnerability