“I’m sorry”, hands down a phrase I overuse. It’s not intentional. Suddenly faced with confrontation or an awkward silence and these two words slip from behind my teeth into the air, now audible. Of all the phrases, “I’m sorry” comes off as “I’m weak, have no confidence and am at a loss for words.”
How pathetic.
What is worse is that now because of its overuse, the phrase has become meaningless.
For instance, am I sorry when I accidently bump into you on a bus, street, or hallway. No! I don’t care. It was a flipping accident. Instead of using the approprate “Excuse me.” Here I am blubbering about being sorry. Ridiculous.
What is worse is the inablilty, at times, to make eye contact and full on say, “excuse me.” How weak and lame. I’m sorry should be reserved for severe instances.
Example;
You are driving in a residential neighborhood. Perhaps you are going over the speed limit by 5 miles. In front of you jumps an adorable little puppy. You swerve to miss it, and fortunately do; although you hit a mailbox. As you get out the car you see the owners of the mailbox and dog (coincidental yes but highly likely).
Now, is the approiate time to profusely utter (probably repeatedly) “I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry.
Another example:
You having a dinner party. Everyone is seated comfortable as you go around the table pouring wine. You trip on your clumsy self and pour red wine all over your brother’s wife’s white dress.
Start apologizing.
Last Example:
You see a woman, she is not the thinnest woman you’ve ever seen. You approach her to congratulate her on the child she is caring. As her face crinkles and drops simultaneously you should be say in a soft hushed voice, “I’m so sorry, I had no idea.” Softly, she doesn’t really want to hear you speak, it’s just good etiquette to apologize, because let’s face it, you’re an ass.
I know I am guilty (no, not of hitting mailboxes) of over using the “I’m sorry.” Although, it is as if alternative phrases like “excuse me,” “pardon” and others have been forgotten.
Why when you don’t understand what someone says you say “I’m sorry, I can’t hear you.” It’s not your fault! WHY ARE YOU APOLOGIZING!? Instead, a simple “pardon?” lets that person know they are mumbling.
It’s time to stop apologizing and be confident.
Tags: apologize, apology, confidence, excuse me, I'm sorry, pardon, pathetic
