Few words are spoken more often every day on the streets of Britain than ”I'm sorry“.
This phrase has become such a common response that it has got a lot of meanings.
Saying ”Sorry“ means to apologize. This is simple and easy to understand. But in Britain, it has another meaning.
Imagine this: a man walks down the streets, looking down at his phone, A woman is walking in the opposite direction, towards the man.
She sees him, but she can't get out of the way in time. The man runs into the woman. Who should say ”Sorry“ ?
Naturally, the man should say ”Sorry“, because it was he wasn't looking where he was going. Yet in Britain, it is common for both to apologize.
It is known that Britain people, like most people, do not enjoy conflict. So to quickly calm the situation, Britain people will apologise to each other.
Other times it may sound funny to hear ”Sorry“. Some of my friends say it at restaurants, a they ask the waiter, ”Sorry, but can I order another drink ?“
It is not to apologize, but just to express that we need the waiter. In Britain, ”Sorry“ doesn't always mean exactly what you think.
