Quote:
Originally Posted by blouen  very much surprised? 
- I guess startled will be my only option then. |
Yes, it is really the only option. One can be pleasantly surprised but not pleasantly startled. (The fight or flight response is induced.)
It describes a quite temporary thing. You're paying attention to one thing then something else gets your attention in a rather rude manner (startles you) and then when you realize that the situation is not life-threatening you calm down somewhat. You might say later about what happened that you almost jumped out of your socks.
~R