Should Women Stop Apologizing So Much?

Not every "I'm sorry" is an apology. Sometimes "I'm sorry" is a perfectly reasonable expression of regret or empathy. It's vital to distinguish between the two when you are taking a census of "sorries" like this.

The new etiquette for lateness: If you are detained in such a way that you are going to be late, and had no way of knowing beforehand, call the person you are going to meet and give them a BRIEF description of your troubles an estimated time of arrival. 91% of the WORLD'S people have cell phones these days, so this mostly works pretty well. Corollary: Always get a cell number when you set up a meeting.

AMEN!! What kind of sorry we are matters very much...In my opinion the great "I am" is the key,the most important and powerful 2 words I speak.

I think people are confusing the meanings of "I'm sorry." "Sorry" can mean feeling sorrow, regret, **or penitence.** When you bump someone, "I'm sorry" or "Excuse me" acknowledges that you have, well, bumped someone. "I'm sorry I'm late" isn't apologizing for being late, if one is unavoidably detained, it's expressing REGRET for being late. "I'm sorry to hear about that" isn't apologizing for someone's misfortune, it's an expression of sorrow. Perhaps if people learn to recognize what "I'm sorry" actually means in a given situation, it will seem less like groveling apology and more what it really is: courtesy. Something far too often lacking.

I don't see any problem with saying you're sorry, if you mean it. what bugs me about people these days is that they have no common courtesy. There is nothing wrong with saying you're sorry when you bump into someone, it should be automatic. If you are late for a meeting or a doctor's appointment, an apology should be given, because the person on the other side is waiting and time is precious. On the other hand, when I'm the one saying I'm sorry and receive no responce, I want to take it back. I'm very concientious and have respect for other people and I want to be treated the same.

There seems to be a lack of common courtesy in most people, these days. Saying that one is sorry, should be done, but only when it applies to the given situation. Unfortunatley, it seems as though our lack of common courtesy, is matched by our ever decreasing understanding of the English language. It is important to uderstand the difference between saying "I'm sorry," and "excuse me," or "pardon me," and when each phrase applies. The writer stated that she said "I'm sorry that my internet isn't working." Perhaps she should have said "I'm sorry, but my internet isn't working." It's a subtle difference, but now, rather than apologizing for the internet provider, she would be expressing concern for the person who was left waiting for her email, but at the same time, explaining that the situation was out of her control.

I, do not see anything wrong with apologising for any infraction or error. I, would think this is civility at its best. The fact that women do it more often, shows at least civilty still exists at least some where. I wish we men also were more civil in our approach to life and others around us. What a wonderful world that would make for us!!!!

This is what's wrong with today's society, no manners or respect for the other person. I think you should apologize if you bump into someone or if your late. If your boss is late and doesn't apologize then I think that's wrong too.It's common courtesy. We do say " I'm sorry" for many other reasons. I'm sorry for the death in your family. It doesn't mean it was our fault that the person died but it's respectful.What's next, stop thanking people for doing something nice for you? The only thing I'm sorry for is taking the time to read this ridiculous article.

This sure gives us something to think about and I think it is almost on the money. I agree with most of this article but when someone says they are sorry for keeping you waiting 20 because they didn't plan well enough to be there on time they should say they are sorry and they should mean it. This is something they did wrong that caused someone else to be inconvenienced. This is one of my pet peeves. Be on time! Don't waste someone else's valuable time.

I long to see the day (if it ever happens) when women are women. I remember while growing up that the girls I knew were "ladies" They dressed in a way that presented them as a spice of beauty, gentlness and yes.. sexy. Clothing left much to man's imagination and thus the mystery of beauty. Today, we praise women who look trashy and apprear trashy (the Kardashians, Madonna, Whoopi Goldbergs mouth,) There is nothing left for a man to imagine, no courting. Women need not apologize, they just need to return to the purpose and function of women. I kmow I'm old fashion, but I so long for the gentleness, the mystery and yes sexy women of long ago.