Thaindian News

London, Sep 14 (IANS) Britain is a country of “over-apologetic” people who say sorry up to eight times a day. And most of the time for things that are not their fault, says a new survey.

The research by the New York Bakery Co revealed that the apology is often used by Britons as a response to someone else’s mistake.

At least 43 percent people admitted apologising to a person who knocked them and 17 percent said sorry when someone else treaded on their toes, according to the Daily Express.

The survey said an average Briton says sorry around 2,920 times a year or about 2.3 million times in a lifetime.

The word is also used for excuse me in 30 percent of cases or when interrupting someone — 67 percent. It is most used at work, with 39 percent using it to “tiptoe round an issue” or colleague, or for fear of causing offence.

When shopping, sorry is used 33 percent and 31 percent at home.

Expert Nancy Baldwin said Britain “needs lessons in how to be assertive”. She now runs “brashness classes” for people who find themselves constantly apologising.

“It is not rude to be assertive and say what you mean and if you are tired of being an over-apologetic Brit and want to be no-nonsense like us New Yorkers then I can give you a lesson in brash,” she said.

“I want to show Brits how to tell their boss they need a pay rise, or demand their flatmate cleans up after themselves. And put a stop to unnecessary ’sorrys’ to the man who steps on your feet.”