Misunderstandings

It is a well know fact that Canadians are excessively apologetic. When we are standing in the Tim Horton's line and somebody steps on our toes we say we're sorry. We don't actually mean it, but we say it anyway. This, I have learned, can lead to misunderstandings in the United States, because Americans will actually think we feel bad. Numerous times I have had people say to me "don't apologize" with a very concerned look on their face when I have prefaced a question with "sorry, but do you..." or apologized for intending to take the same path on the sidewalk as them.

This situation of misunderstanding is two fold as Americans use "excuse me" in the same way we use "sorry." If someone says excuse me as we almost collide around the corner of a building, to my Canadian ears, it sounds so drastic. I feel like stopping them and assuring them that I am not angry, that they are quite excused and that I am merely sorry.

I am sorry if you haven't appreciated this post, by which I do not actually mean I am sorry but rather I mean to protect myself from those who might judge me for writing on such an inane topic. I guess you will have to excuse me.