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The Economic Times
The Economic Times
National
Aastha Raj

Psychology says people who keep saying 'sorry', even when it's someone else's mistake, aren't weak, they may be trying to protect relationships

Some people apologize almost automatically. A waiter brings the wrong order, and the customer says, "Sorry." Someone bumps into them on the street, yet they apologize first. A coworker misses a deadline, but another team member says, "Sorry about that."

To outsiders, this habit can seem confusing. People often assume excessive apologizing is a sign of weakness or low confidence. Psychology suggests the explanation is usually more complex. Frequent apologies can be influenced by personality, upbringing, emotional regulation, relationship experiences, and social norms. It does not mean everyone who over-apologizes lacks confidence or has the same psychological profile.

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