I never understood this. If I get in an accident, people will say to me "I'm Sorry for what happened", but then I ask myself, Why? did you have something to do with it? Why appologize to me if you had nothing to do with what happened?
2007-01-03 05:41:16 · 41 answers · asked by Enterrador 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
they are sorry for you- there are 2 different kinds of sorry indirect and direct- they are not apologizing to you- they are apologizing that your in that situation- they feel bad for you
2007-01-03 05:42:34 · answer #1 · answered by shannon 4 · 4⤊ 0⤋
I think that a lot of people do not understand that empathy and sympathy or very different. Empathy statement would be something like, Oh, I hate to hear that, are you OK." or, " I understand how it feels to be in a car accident it can be quit traumatizing." So you are right it sounds weird when someone is always saying I'm sorry for something that did not do
2007-01-03 22:39:18 · answer #2 · answered by tnbadbunny 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They say because they are human, and feel with you, want to be part of your situation so you dont feel alone at times of distress. Its their way of extending themselves and beiing part of you. We all feel one when we are supported, perhaps they are sending feelers to find out if you ask for help, some people dont want help and want to be left alone, like how you expressed why do they have to say sorry when they have nothing to do with what ever happened. Perhaps they are extending to offer help but when you react this way they may get a no and they go away. I dont think it is a put down at all, because i alway feel bad when i see anyone involved in an accident, and most of the time i offer to help, We are all people and we all feel the same way, its how we take this.
We do not have anything to what happens but we can react the same way as human beings in crisis, and the meaning it gives to people around who see it.
2007-01-03 05:51:10 · answer #3 · answered by thachu5 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sometimes people don't know what else to say................they could say that sucks that you got in an accident or tough luck for you dude or geez you dumbass weren't you paying attention, on and on and on - but most people are not comfortable with saying such off color things after someone has been hurt! I also, think it depends on the extent of the injuries one receives.........if it was minimal, I'm the type that would (in a joking voice) say the above things........if they were bad, I might say I was sorry to hear about the accident......I'd at least wait until they were better and up for a few jokes before saying the others!
Ü
2007-01-03 05:48:04 · answer #4 · answered by CluelessOne 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
This is a common misunderstanding between men and women.
When men say "I'm sorry" it's almost always an apology. Women can use it to apologize, too, but we also use it to mean "I feel bad for you" or "I have empathy for you". So they are not apologizing for some involvement in the accident, they are simply expressing that they feel for you.
2007-01-03 06:09:15 · answer #5 · answered by drshorty 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Perhaps, "I'm sorry" is not the right phrase. Maybe they mean, "Your accident was very unfortunate." "I am sorry" is a way of expressing sympathy for what has happened. I know I have said "I'm sorry" to friends and co-workers and they have the same reaction as you. I will say "I'm still sorry." I am expressing sympathy and empathy for them.
2007-01-03 07:29:06 · answer #6 · answered by Malika 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Saying "I'm sorry" has two meanings: one is an apology and the other is an expression of empathy and/or sympathy. The latter means that the person feels sadness (sorrow) at your misfortune. They feel your pain.
2007-01-03 05:43:36 · answer #7 · answered by Gene 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's to evoke a response from you. It is perhaps a call for empathy that everything is going to be alright, like a sensual stroke of the emotions. Flippin eck matey, its a cry out for some sort of connection of understanding the fear of the moment.
2007-01-03 06:01:38 · answer #8 · answered by : 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Saying that you're sorry is not always an aplogy. It depends on usage. In the usage you described it's an offering of empathy.
It's a much nicer thing to say than "look both ways next time, stupid".
2007-01-03 05:50:29 · answer #9 · answered by J 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They are somehow shocked and know of nothing better to say
it is said to unconsciously free themselves from any guilt or from any attachment the wrong situation might have caused.
probably deep down they would be glad it was not them in the situation
trying to make someone feel better (even if its by pathetic means) unconsciously makes most ppl feel good about themselves as it makes them feel as if they did their part to make it all better.
2007-01-03 07:05:14 · answer #10 · answered by Lara^mt 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because they generally act first and think of the consequences later.
A little too late. Those words should be used very sparingly, but some use them all the time and it gets old and annoying very quickly. It loses its meaning.
2007-01-03 05:44:34 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋