no, its not a sarcastic expression. We say "excuse me" to mean "will you please excuse me" or "pardon me". We are trying to apologize for accidentally bumping into you.
2006-07-02 15:43:17
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answer #1
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answered by Anonymous
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I was bought up in the south and saying excuse me in that context could have meant the same as saying I'm sorry. I guess alot of that would also have to consider the tone of voice and if the people seemed sorry or not. Myself I most likely have said both. But again that was just the way I was brought up.
I guess you would call that Home Training.
2006-07-02 15:49:26
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answer #2
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answered by Dead Man Walking 4
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Proper American English is not as formal or succinct as British English. Most people I know would say, "Pardon me" if they bumped into someone. Being sorry, asking for pardon, asking to be excused (actually a colloquial term), are all meant as apologies. Accept the apology with grace. Thank you !
2006-07-02 16:22:10
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answer #3
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answered by SpongebobRoundpants 5
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No honey, when they say "excuse YOU" that is blaming someone else.
If they say "excuse me" they say it because we do not apoogise for ourselves.
It is thought that if you apologise for yourself you are making less of yourself or that you are acknowledging that you have done something wrong.
It is just a custom.
HOWEVER, some poeple say it in a nasty way as IF to blame YOU which is just bad manners. I hope this has not happened to you. I wish that you encounter many friendly americans!
2006-07-02 15:45:59
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answer #4
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answered by theresa e 1
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If I break that silent one by mistake around people, or bump into someone by mistake, just means I admit that I am at fault and that I apologize. Just the same, a pack of cigarettes in the Big Uk is nicknamed, ****.
2006-07-02 15:46:09
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answer #5
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answered by Yahoo answer dude 3
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I ususally say "excuse me" when I'm trying to get by someone. If I accidently bump them, then I say "I'm sorry". And a lot of times, it is neither person's fault.
2006-07-02 15:45:10
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answer #6
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answered by fictionalpoet 2
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Because excuse me was tought to us as kids and its not only polite but its a way of saying sorry and that i need to get by with out having to say so much.
2006-07-02 15:45:19
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answer #7
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answered by Anonymous
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I wouldnt do that. If I bump into someone I always say Im sorry...and Im American. Maybe it more about you being in a city with rude people ;)
2006-07-02 15:45:29
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answer #8
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answered by The Kings 4
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no, the opposite most of the time...it's our way of saying sorry! not just americans...others can be asses too!
now, if i feel like someone bumped into me on purpose, or 'they are' being rude, then i'll say to them "EXCUSE YOU!" that's when i feel 'they' are rude...no matter where they're from!
seems i'm not the only person that feels this way..there ya go!!!
2006-07-02 15:46:22
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answer #9
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answered by Anonymous
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It's no different than 'Pardon me', excuse me for bumping in to you
. I bumped into you, not the other way around! I bumped into you, forgive me!
MeaCulpa, get it?
If you can't figure this out you deserve to be bumped into on purpose!
2006-07-02 15:53:23
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answer #10
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answered by Anonymous
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No, no, no. You don't get the usage. We say excuse me, because we're asking to get through, although it's a little belated. If we bump into you, we probably thought there was already room. So then we say, "Excuse me," to ask you to move aside so we CAN get through.
2006-07-02 15:44:49
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answer #11
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answered by shehawke 5
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