"Sorry.."

I've been noticing it more and more over the last few days, not that it's by any means a new behavior.. I was opening the door to leave the locker room and head to work when another woman, whom was outside of the door on the other side, and about to open the very same door whose knob was grasped in my fingertips- she said, "Sorry," as we both continued on toward our respective destinations.

Sure, I know that in our western culture, it is considered courteous to acknoledge others as we interact. A hand-wave to the safe driver.. a head nod or smile upon eye contact with someone familiar.. a held door- and other pretty general non-verbal conoduct usually makes sense to me.

"Sorry." ...Sorry for what exactly?

I don't follow, and even I am guilty of this verbal tendency. It is inappropriated so often that the apologetic nature of the word is practically left invalidated.

examples:

"I'm sorry, but that bitch totally deserved to fail."
(maybe she did.. but you aren't sorry to admit that... no guilt or remorse)

Two people walking toward one another are faced with the studder step, not sure wether to shift right or left to avoid collision. "Sorry."
(OR.."excuse me".. "pardon" perhaps?.... Both people were equally enrought somewhere. unless shoving was involved of course, it hardly seems needed)

ect.



I guess I really honed in on this since I was sick this past week. I was bedridden for three straight days and without energy to exert, I wound up watching the Korean drama "Bad Boy". It carries the familiar themes of romance, confusion, pots of revenge, family, and monetary status. So seventeen hour-long episodes later, and my mind is reeling in subtitles and eastern culture- where it seems people have more pride and values than Americans do.

Some of their passing phrases were: "Work hard." "Thank you." "How fortunite for you." "This will come of use" "Take care."


It is true, being polite is one thing- but take a week and try to listen for all the misused "I'm sorry"s exchanged among your area. People acknowlege that "I love.." and "I hate" are strong terms, flung too loosely from the lips of many.. but I really think they do not stand as a pair in that category.



In any case.. if it's beyond your control- don't apologise.

If it's another instance.. try to use the correct terminology.

If everyone gets comfortable jsut putting their own meaning on words and phrases, we will lose the meaning of everything to chaotic babble.


Or maybe it's just me.. and I find your wasted time reading this unfortunate. (but I'm not sorry for writing it, lol)