The Word Sorry

Real life inspires me to write these articles and as I was listening to the goings on at the front desk, getting personal and work texts and emails, playing tennis and meeting friends for dinner I was in an instant inspired. It was about the 100^th time I heard the word SORRY that week. Now just for the record, I do say I am sorry, but I purposefully only use the word when I am truly sorry for something I have control on. I have for years be very aware of its overuse and its undermining of confidence both of the person who says it and the receiver who hears it. But when I missed a shot on the court the other day, I looked at my doubles partner and said, “sorry, I should have had that” she replied as I often do, “don’t be sorry, it’s tennis”. It was at that moment, I thought, she is right and when it is the other way around, I would never want her to apologize for trying.

There are so many things’ people apologize for and I think we should all stop doing it so much, unless of course it is something we are truly sorry for. The Origin and the meaning of the word is important, it is related to sorrow, distress, or pain. Let’s recognize that and come up with some other things to say. Here are some I have heard and used.

1. Sorry I am late-Thank you for waiting
2. Sorry about the rain-Wow, it sure is raining out there
3. Sorry I missed that shot-I’ll get it next time.
4. Sorry to interrupt-I have an idea, I would love to add something, can I expand on that?
5. Sorry for complaining or venting-Thank you for listening.
6. Sorry for my mistakes-Thank you for catching my mistake or thanks for seeing that.
7. Sorry, when someone else bumps into you-Your turn, go ahead, or after you.

Too many “sorries” can kill your confidence or the confidence others have in you. Let’s apologize for the things we have control on because apologies matter, they ease old wounds, they can stop a fight, calm people down and should be meaningful.

Thank you for listening.

Michelle Fry- BTTC Member and Guest Service Manager