Noun
Inhibitions - A feeling of self-consciousness or restraint that prevents someone from acting freely; a psychological or social barrier that limits a person’s behavior or expressions.

His inhibitions kept him from speaking up during the meeting, even though he had great ideas.
farce - A deceptive action that someone tries to fool others into believing that he takes it seriously
Everyone in town knew that a bridge at the busy intersection was needed, but they felt that all the Mayor's activity about the subject was just a farce because he didn't really take the problem seriously.