On this particular occasion, I argue that I was merely responding to a question using a form of verbal etiquette that appears, sadly, evermore outdated.
If my memory serves me correctly, my side of the conversation went a little like this: "Er, sorry, I don't know the answer to this question... Is Katoomba at the highest point of the Blue Mountains?? Hmm... "
"I should know this," I continued, probably more in surprise to myself . "But I don't."
OK, so yes, to the untrained eye - perhaps this did look like I was being a little unnecessarily hard on myself. But, then the conversation took a swift turn towards scolding and moved further and further away from 'sorry-ness'."You don't always have to be sorry for things," I was chastised. "You always say you're sorry but everything is not your fault."
For me, the word in such a context isn't about fault or asking for another's forgiveness.
It's about humility. It's about politeness. It's about carrying forward the custom of begging somebody's pardon from days of old.
It's about putting the 'you' before the 'I'.
Once upon a time, people commonly used the phrase 'I beg your pardon'... slightly more humbling, don't you think?
'Sorry' not only sums up the sentiment in a single word, but also saves on the servitude.
I believe that this bigger and busier world should eternally reserve a place for this powerful little word.
Say it loud. And say it proud.
And if you still can't, consider the alternative of begging their pardon instead.
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