Everyone Is Sorry 2424 Responses

Last post: 3 months ago | Thread started: Aug 21, 08, 9:29 a.m.

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• mg33

  From people in service industry jobs, why is the most common phrase out of their mouth "I'm sorry about..."??

  Sorry about the wait, sorry that took so long, etc. etc. etc. when it really didn't.

  Anyone notice this frequently especially from younger people in service industry jobs?

  Are most people so impatient that it's created this sense of instant apology for no reason by people doing services for them? I notice it all the time. EX: trying on clothes two nights ago, no one was at the fitting rooms, no big deal, someone came over soon after and the first thing they said was "I'm sorry... let me get a room for you."

  No "hello." No "how are you this evening?" but "I'm sorry." Shouldn't they know that I'm upset with something before even saying that? It's kind of like admitting guilt when no one has accused you of anything."

  What's up with that?

  Aug 21, 08, 9:29 a.m. – Permalink

• planet01

  I'm sorry

  

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  Dog-earAug 21, 08, 9:29 a.m. – Permalink

• Jaline

  Because "the customer is always right".

  • You have to do everything to please them and make them purchase something. Anything you perceive to be bad (or that they perceive to be bad) is always your fault.– Jaline1/2

    they perceive to be bad) is always your fault (or you have to pretend for a bit).– Jaline2/2

  

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  Dog-earAug 21, 08, 9:30 a.m. – Permalink

• dirtydesign

  What do suggest as an alternative?

  

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  Dog-earAug 21, 08, 9:30 a.m. – Permalink

• ian

  Im not sorry. Thats right, not one bit. But then, I have very poor judgement.

  

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  Dog-earAug 21, 08, 9:31 a.m. – Permalink

• whereRI

  you are going to be

  

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  Dog-earAug 21, 08, 9:31 a.m. – Permalink

• Tark

  Sorry mg33 but doesn't the Japanese language do this too? I think they say excuse me for living. I don't know Japanese but I heard that they appologize profusely for everything.

  • excuse me is not the same as apologizing when nothing is wrong.– mg33

  

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  Dog-earAug 21, 08, 9:32 a.m. – Permalink

• PromotionalUseOnly

  I seem to spend a lot of time apologising for how long something is taking when i've said there is more to it than they think... I'm building a flash site at the moment in under 2 weeks... and rather than have the html page enough to support the content, i have to make the whole bleeding thing!

  • that's different, that makes sense somewhat.– mg33

  

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  Dog-earAug 21, 08, 9:32 a.m. – Permalink

• bulletfactory

  that's why i try not to immediately slow down when i see a highway patrol car;

  admission of guilt.

  

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  Dog-earAug 21, 08, 9:32 a.m. – Permalink

• CALLES

  i', sorry about the service industry phrase

  

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  Dog-earAug 21, 08, 9:33 a.m. – Permalink

• mg33

  As an alternative, I think people just shouldn't always assume customers are mad or negative about something. "I'm sorry" is just no way to greet someone when they may not even be mad about anything.

  It's just irritating. Maybe I'm more passive than most, but that's not what I expect to hear from people for such minor lapses in time or getting something or helping me out.

  

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  Dog-earAug 21, 08, 9:33 a.m. – Permalink

• blackspade

  Girl at Subway keep doing this today, so sorry for the wait.... huh ive been here like 20 seconds and I still dont know what I want yet.

  • EXACTLY! Bingo!– mg33

  

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  Dog-earAug 21, 08, 9:33 a.m. – Permalink

• nikdaum

  I think it's because there are some crazy impatient people out there that like to take power trips when they shop. The "sorry"s are to avoid these people blowing up in the store.

  

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  Dog-earAug 21, 08, 9:34 a.m. – Permalink

• Mimio

  Because looks can kill.

  • let me guess: no one has ever died in your pressence– 7point341/2

    sorry i keed i keed– 7point342/2

  

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  Dog-earAug 21, 08, 9:34 a.m. – Permalink

• Jaline

  It could just be a reflexive thing after a while too. No matter how many nice customers you get, the worst ones can ruin your day and that's what you tend to remember at the end (depending on your personality type). Especially in fast food, where things are supposed to be out within a set time.

  

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  Dog-earAug 21, 08, 9:35 a.m. – Permalink

• mg33

  I might start calling people on it when they do this. If I have smoke coming out my ears and I look mad, then apologize. Otherwise, I'm doing fine.

  • Say it in a jokingly or calm way though ;)– Jaline

  

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  Dog-earAug 21, 08, 9:36 a.m. – Permalink

• d_rek

  I've worked in FSI for a number of years in various positions(waiter/bartender/manag… and don't ever apologize unless absolutely necessary; it's just a way of admitting defeat. Always have told my co-workers this too. Don't apologize if you've done nothing wrong, that just gives people the upper hand into thinking they're 'right'. Certain people will walk all over you the first time 'i'm sorry' comes out of your mouth. I try to offer an explanation rather than an apology and if that doesn't fly then try to work something out. The customer ISN'T always right.

  • Of course not. It's just a tactic to make them come back for more.– Jaline

  

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  Dog-earAug 21, 08, 9:38 a.m. – Permalink

• clickblipclick

  So what, now people should apologize for saying sorry?

  • no, they should grow a spine.– mg331/2

    ha!– 7point342/2

  

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  Dog-earAug 21, 08, 9:41 a.m. – Permalink

• mrdobolina

  It must be painful living your life inside of an episode of Curb Your Enthusiasm.

  • hahahahha– Jaline

  

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  Dog-earAug 21, 08, 9:48 a.m. – Permalink

• designbot

  I would rather have people be apologetic then straight-up rude. Some young kids have no respect, sit there and talk on their cell phones while helping you. Or try and cop some attitude with you because they have an ego problem.

  • this is true– Jaline

  

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  Dog-earAug 21, 08, 9:49 a.m. – Permalink

• mg33

  To clarify - if something obviously took too long, or if I look mad, or I'm huffing and guffing, then acknowledge that you took a long time.

  But using "I'm sorry" as a greeting when there's no reason to is absurd. At least let a customer say something or make a gesture first to determine if there is a reason.

  

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  Dog-earAug 21, 08, 9:53 a.m. – Permalink