Is this just a British thing? I just came out of a shop. I was on the pavement, (I believe it's called the sidewalk in America), and I just clipped a cyclist. Cyclists are not supposed...

Wellhiem Loc: Sunny England.

I just came out of a shop. I was on the pavement, (I believe it's called the sidewalk in America), and I just clipped a cyclist. Cyclists are not supposed to be on the pavement here it is actually against the law. But my first response was to say sorry. I spent the next 30 minutes asking myself "why the flying flip did you apologise to that jerk?"

Spindrift62 Loc: Dorset, England. U.K.

Wellhiem wrote:

I just came out of a shop. I was on the pavement, (I believe it's called the sidewalk in America), and I just clipped a cyclist. Cyclists are not supposed to be on the pavement here it is actually against the law. But my first response was to say sorry. I spent the next 30 minutes asking myself "why the flying flip did you apologise to that jerk?"

Because you are educated and polite. Comes from ingrained 'manners training' from your parents and teachers. I suffer the same inbred reaction, although I have recently taken to saying a very loud 'thank you' if I'm not thanked for holding a shop door open for a 'lady' to go through. Puerile, but it makes me feel so much better!

Wazzer2002 Loc: Lindsay, Ontario, Canada

It's also a Canadian thing. Sorry is one of first words we learn...along with Please and Thankyou. :)

Pepper Loc: Planet Earth Country USA

Wellhiem wrote:

I just came out of a shop. I was on the pavement, (I believe it's called the sidewalk in America), and I just clipped a cyclist. Cyclists are not supposed to be on the pavement here it is actually against the law. But my first response was to say sorry. I spent the next 30 minutes asking myself "why the flying flip did you apologise to that jerk?"

But the example you set was constructive and positive, how could raising hell with the kid have been an improvement?

Gone Off Shore Loc: Philadelphia, PA

Wellhiem wrote:

I just came out of a shop. I was on the pavement, (I believe it's called the sidewalk in America), and I just clipped a cyclist. Cyclists are not supposed to be on the pavement here it is actually against the law. But my first response was to say sorry. I spent the next 30 minutes asking myself "why the flying flip did you apologise to that jerk?"

It's a Brit thing. When I moved there I learned to apologize for everything. Took me forever to take up American rudeness when I came back here. :lol:

sugarjohnson Loc: West Jordan, UT

I had one think my car was in the way (I was in the turning lane and the lazy imp didn't want to have to move his bike so he maybe he thought that even though I was ahead of him I could magically lift my car so he could continue without having to stop or move around my car). He was ticked off so he punched the side of my car and left a huge dent. I tried to follow him but he was able to get up a mountain trail and i couldn't find him. I was irate.

Wellhiem Loc: Sunny England.

Spindrift62 wrote:

Because you are educated and polite. Comes from ingrained 'manners training' from your parents and teachers. I suffer the same inbred reaction, although I have recently taken to saying a very loud 'thank you' if I'm not thanked for holding a shop door open for a 'lady' to go through. Puerile, but it makes me feel so much better!

That is something that really grates on my nerves. I always hold the door for the next person. I've now forced myself into the habit of saying "don't mention i... oh you weren't going to."

kschwegl Loc: Orangeburg, NY

Wellhiem wrote:

I just came out of a shop. I was on the pavement, (I believe it's called the sidewalk in America), and I just clipped a cyclist. Cyclists are not supposed to be on the pavement here it is actually against the law. But my first response was to say sorry. I spent the next 30 minutes asking myself "why the flying flip did you apologise to that jerk?"

No need to apologize. The twit does not belong on the sidewalk, (pavement) and I am an avid cyclist.
Ken S.

ncswampfox Loc: greensboro, nc

Gone Off Shore wrote:

It's a Brit thing. When I moved there I learned to apologize for everything. Took me forever to take up American rudeness when I came back here. :lol:

Please do not speak for all Americans! Most of us still believe and use common courtesy automatically.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Wellhiem wrote:

I just came out of a shop. I was on the pavement, (I believe it's called the sidewalk in America), and I just clipped a cyclist. Cyclists are not supposed to be on the pavement here it is actually against the law. But my first response was to say sorry. I spent the next 30 minutes asking myself "why the flying flip did you apologise to that jerk?"

Yes, it is an English thing. We spent three months in England years ago, and I noticed how often the people would say Please and Thank You, also, "Thank you very much" - almost like one word. A waiter would give me a menu and say Thank you.

Although it might seem like perfect politeness, after a while it seemed like more of a habit, but it was nice, nonetheless.

One unpleasant incident: My wife was getting tickets at a tube station, and the older man in the booth didn't hear her say Please, something we had gotten in the habit of doing all the time. He paused, looked up, and shouted, "Oh, you must be an American. They don't know how to say Please or Thank you."

So, here was a "polite" English gentleman demonstrating how to be polite. Ironic.

FutureLook Loc: Florida, USA

Wellhiem wrote:

I just came out of a shop. I was on the pavement, (I believe it's called the sidewalk in America), and I just clipped a cyclist. Cyclists are not supposed to be on the pavement here it is actually against the law. But my first response was to say sorry. I spent the next 30 minutes asking myself "why the flying flip did you apologise to that jerk?"

Good to see you Brits showing those good manners. Unfortunately, we lost them here a long time ago although we still have some that still show respect for others.

:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

tomw

Wellhiem wrote:

I just came out of a shop. I was on the pavement, (I believe it's called the sidewalk in America), and I just clipped a cyclist. Cyclists are not supposed to be on the pavement here it is actually against the law. But my first response was to say sorry. I spent the next 30 minutes asking myself "why the flying flip did you apologise to that jerk?"

If it is clearly his fault, as with your reckless cyclist, I wouldn't apologize. If it's my fault or ambiguous, I would. Just part of the lubrication without which there would be constant friction in society.

By the way, your companion bears a resemblance to mine.

RichieC Loc: Adirondacks

If you were a liberal American, you'd fall down, call 911, pull out a neck brace and use a crutch, then you'd sue & claim disability.

If a conservative, you'd have lowered your shoulder and dropped the punk onto his back... then apologized as you went on your merry way.

charryl Loc: New Mexico, USA

Must be genetic. I am many generations American but from British decent on all sides of the family. I was taught to say please and thank you (often with a ma'am or sir added). I have actually been asked why I say please and thank you so much. Go figure.

BTW, there'd was a very funny skit done by the British comedian Benny Hill. A person in a car bumps into a man riding bicycle. The who skit was about who could apologize most for the incident. "Sorry, sorry. I really shouldn't have been on this carriage way." etc.

GeneB Loc: Chattanooga Tennessee

Gone Off Shore wrote:

It's a Brit thing. When I moved there I learned to apologize for everything. Took me forever to take up American rudeness when I came back here. :lol:

One of the great things to me when moving back to the South after many years in Cincinnati was that people here still know how to use those words of politeness on most occasions. I on the other still have moments when I struggle with it but getting better I think. :P :idea: