Everyone has a word that they use too much or that everyone knows them for. Over the years I have gotten better, but I can't stop myself from saying the word: "sorry."

What is funny, is that the immediate response after I say it, is either annoyance or they say, "don't be sorry, it's not your fault."

I never thought it was my fault!

I guess I have to clarify. I just mean, I'm sorry you're in that situation, that this had to happen to you, that you are going through a tough time, or that you feel this way. I just am a sympathetic person. I'm not pitying you, but I'm making a statement that I am aware of what is happening and can understand you on a specific level.

Then when you tell me not to say sorry, I feel bad and end up saying sorry all over again. After that, it is a chain of apologizes for apologizing until I cover my mouth.

Can you blame me?

There are times that I have said this word, in situations that weren't my fault or were entirely my fault. If they were my fault, odds are my apology will have a deeper meaning and was probably a lot harder to say.

If you're like me, then these are probably a few of the "weird" things you've apologized for:

1. For feeling a type of way
2. For possibly annoying someone by simply talking (maybe too much)
3. Bumping into an inanimate object
4. For interrupting someone who's interrupting you
5. For being yourself
6. For crying
7. For being loud
8. For being "weird"
9. For giving an opinion
10. For someone else's situation
11. For being grumpy on a bad day
12. For eating too much of someone else's food that they offered
13. For taking too long in a line at the store (coupons, returns, etc...anything that basically tests other customer's patience)
14. For forgetting something
15. For saying sorry
16. For being a jumpy or clumsy person
17. For keeping company (using up the time of others)
18. For being distant
19. For needing a break
20. For learning something you don't know how to do (and are just trying to get it)

And the list goes on and on....

It's not wrong to apologize for as much as you breathe (that might be an over exaggeration), but it just defines your character as a possible people pleaser. You don't want to cause anyone discomfort and you don't like to see others in a tough spot. So when you can't help, you say "I'm sorry." When you can help you say, "I'm sorry (...)," essentially you offer ways to fix situations, and it kills you when you can't offer some relief.

Now I'm not saying every person who says "I'm sorry" is a walking saint, but they are conscientious of the people around them.