CHAPTER 9
SAY YOU’RE SORRY ONLY WHEN YOU’RE AT FAULT
Women probably say “I’m sorry” more than any other phrase in the English language. (Men also use the phrase, but far less often; we’ll discuss this later in the chapter.) They seem to say it more than “thank you,” more than “please,” and possibly even more than “no.” Like the phrase “you know,” “I’m sorry” has become so common that it’s merely filler in most conversations.
Instead of serving as an apology, as it was originally intended, “I’m sorry” has morphed into a versatile catchall phrase that is applied in a number of situations. It is used to head off confrontation, to appease others, to smooth over rough relationships, or to wrap up an argument, among other reasons. Think about the ...
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