That can mean I'm apologizing for something. Said differently, it's a question.
But I think it can also be said as an expression of empathy. I'm I wrong?
Someone in my past (don't know who) MUST have used it that way because I do! Is it from my grandparent's era and fallen out of use now??? I ask because more often than not, the people I say it to respond, "It's not your fault" and I have to explain that I meant it as an expression of empathy. I had to explain it to someone today--and my tone was less empathetic and more "why the heck would I think it's my fault???" (which I feel bad about now).
Anyway, if you tell someone you have a terrible headache and the person says, "Oh, I'm so sorry", the correct response should be something along the lines of, "I'm okay" or "Thank you".
PS - Although, if you work with me and you have a headache, telling me it's not my fault probably isn't the worst answer. lol! (The person didn't have a headache)
Maybe you'll just have to complete the sentence? Or when people respond "it's not your fault" you could exclaim "but it is!" and burst into tears and run away
ReplyDeleteOooo, the second option is full of possibilities. For some reason I'm picturing myself with an evil smile, telling the person to keep thinking that. :)
DeleteThank you!
English language is so weird!
ReplyDeleteI may have red that somewhere before. :)
DeleteOh, interesting! I never really thought about all the ways "I'm sorry" can be taken! Great post.
ReplyDeleteThank you! Not my best--those are all in my past because they were stories about my past and I've told all of them. All of the good ones, anyway. :)
DeleteThank you for visiting and commenting!
sometimes I say it just to shut someone up, like when i worked at a restaurant and the chef used to love yelling at the servers I used to just be like "oh, sorry." and walk away lol
ReplyDeletelol, that's smart! Always better to not engage with crazy people. :)
DeleteI read that Canadians say sorry a lot. I really wanna see this in action! LIKE DESPERATELY! Anyway, speaking of Canadians and sorries...
ReplyDeletehttp://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2014/03/05/canada-polite-sorry-memes-photos_n_4906404.html
Sorry.
xoxo,
Abby
www.thefrugalblogger.net
I once did a post on Canadian stereotypes--including the apology thing. That's the one stereotype my Canadian friends accepted pretty much without comment....so it must be true :)
DeleteHaha... that's interesting. I never knew people do not know the other meaning. I still use "I'm sorry" in this manner that you mentioned and people know what I'm talking about. If anyone says "It's not your fault", it is usually in jest. So yeah, we still use it here. I guess most people I interact with know that it is a to mean "I'm sorry to hear of this".
ReplyDeleteAs I expected, people are nicer and more understanding there!
DeleteI do the same thing. use the same phrase. and it's not even my native language. so I wonder where I got it from. and sometimes I get the same response. it's not your fault. and I have to explain that I emphasize. maybe it's empathy that people don't understand anymore.
ReplyDeleteOMG, yes! That's it!!!
DeleteI think Germans are just naturally empathetic people, but don't get credit for it. (I'm 50% German. :)