I have a character that apologizes. Unconsciously. Quite frequently. Especially at home with Bubba, and often when no apology is needed.
At least, I think she apologizes. She says “sorry” a lot.
“Sorry, I drank the last of the wine.”
“Sorry,” as Bubba and I dodge each other around the kitchen island.
“Sorry, I’m going to be late.”
When I look at what sorry means—a feeling of regret or sorrow—I don’t really think my character is experiencing those feelings when she says “sorry.”
It’s closer to a feeling of unconscious penitence, some hidden feeling of fault or “sin” for which forgiveness is sought. From the nearest person. Absentmindedly.
Do I really believe that drinking the last of the wine, or dodging each other in the kitchen, or being late is a sin? In need of forgiveness?
Maybe it’s just a habit I picked up somewhere and am only now noticing it?
I really don’t know where it came from, or why I do it. Sorry.
Pingback: My New Apology – Walk the Goats
I do this too! I think it’s an underlying dislike of letting people down that makes people feel the need to over-apologize. How crazy!
LikeLiked by 1 person
After I wrote my post, I became SUPER aware of how frequently I do it.
One of my friends offered an alternate. Which I also wrote about. Of course, it isn’t suitable in every situation.
https://walkthegoats.wordpress.com/2018/04/02/my-new-apology/
Glad to know it resonated! Thanks for your comment.
LikeLiked by 1 person