Well, Elton John certainly got that right. "Sorry" seems to be the toughest word for several people. In fact, it seems ha...
Well,
Elton John certainly got that right. "Sorry" seems to be the toughest
word for several people. In fact, it seems harder in some parts of the planet
than others. It's something that has bothered me for the longest time. such a
lot so, especially recently, that I even have to place pen to paper - or
fingers to keyboard - and write this rant (aka blog post).
Ever
since I've lived here, I've always struggled with the way numerous people have
difficulty saying "Sorry". Here are some examples that I've
encountered just recently:
1.
during a café
Me:
am i able to get a replacement glass please? This one is dirty.
Waitress:
I'll get you a replacement one.
(or
worse still, nothing in the least , but he just changed the glass)
2.
during a restaurant
Me
I'd just like the salmon please.
Waiter:
there is no more salmon today.
3.
during a shoe shop
Me:
does one have these shoes during a size 41?
Assistant:
Size 39 is that the biggest.
Why
can't they assert , "I'm sorry... "?
This
is the question I've wondered about numerous times. I'm consistently told it's
because the person believes that saying "sorry" indicates they need
personally done something wrong.
Can
we please get this right!
Saying,
"I'm sorry" when my glass is dirty is that the right thing to mention
. What you're saying is, "I'm sorry this happened." Or "I'm
sorry you bought a unclean glass." you're not saying, "I'm sorry that
I didn't wash the glass properly, and it's my fault."
Saying,
"I'm sorry" when there is no more salmon left, would mean you're
showing regret or sadness about something. you're not saying that you're liable
for there being no salmon.
Here
are two more examples:
1.
Speaking with a lover
Friend:
You're limping. What's wrong?
Me:
I just tripped over and fell. My knee really hurts.
Friend:
Aiyah! Why are you so careless?
2.
To a colleague
Me:
i used to be so sick at the weekend with a nasty migraine.
Colleague:
Good job it had been weekend and you'll rest.
Why
oh why can't these people just say, "I'm sorry"?
Saying,
"I'm sorry" wouldn't mean you were liable for my fall. it might mean
you were feeling compassion on behalf of me .
Saying,
"I'm sorry" wouldn't mean you were the explanation for my migraine.
it might mean you were feeling concern on behalf of me .
And
this one takes the cake...
Here's
what happened once I wrote to a client who was overdue in paying our invoice,
and not for the primary time. Here are extracts from her reply:
Unfortunately,
there are processes involved that are beyond my control.
I
will expedite where possible during these changes.
Your
understanding would be much appreciated.
Do
you see the matter here? "Unfortunately" seems to mean, "Too
bad". If she had said, "I'm sorry about this", it might mean,
"I care".
If
the author had just one occasion during this whole series of emails said,
"I'm so sorry about this", it might really have shown me that she
understands what I'm browsing and is feeling concern and compassion for my
situation. it might even have assured me that she cared. As a result, i might
have felt better, despite the delays.
So
please...
Sorry
doesn't need to be the toughest word!
Parents:
Please teach your children about the importance of the word, "sorry",
and its many meanings. Also teach them about the implications of claiming the
word, and not saying the word.
Employers:
Please confirm your employees are trained within the importance of the word,
"sorry", and the way it should be utilized in customer service. And
in fact the implications of claiming it and not saying it.
Let's
not continue letting "Sorry" be the toughest word to mention . Let's
work together and make "sorry" a really much easier word to say!
Let's make it the proper word to say!
What
does one say? I'd love your comments and thoughts about the utilization of
"sorry" in your a part of the planet . Plus any samples of once you
have heard, or not heard, the word, "sorry" recently.
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