There is one word that is on the lips of Americans, day and night: "Sorry".
One time as I was walking on the street, a young man ran by hurriedly, brushing against my handbag. Even as he continued on his way, he turned back and said "sorry" to me. Even in a rush, he didn't forget to apologize.
One day, after I bought a mango, the salesman was giving me the change, but I wasn't ready for it and a coin dropped to the ground. "I'm sorry," he said while bending down to pick it up. I was puzzled - why would he apologize when it was my fault?
Another time, I stepped on a man's foot in an escalator. At the same time, we both said "sorry." I thought it interesting: was it really necessary for him to apologize?
Later on, an American friend explained to me that according to the American mentality, the escalator is a public place, and everyone should be able to stand in it. After someone occupies a position in the elevator, making it difficult for someone else to find a place to stand, isn't it necessary to express an apology?
If you go to the movies and the tickets happen to be sold out, the ticket seller will say: "Sorry, the tickets are sold out."
Whenever one of your hopes goes unfulfilled, an American will say "sorry," as a sign of sympathy.
During my stay in America, I often came across situations in which I was supposed to say "sorry." Gradually, I realized that when friction occurs in daily life, Americans don't care much about who is responsible; if someone important and she is very busy, the secretary will say: "sorry."
If someone is troubled, a "sorry" is always necessary. When this happens, even if the other person is hurt, the "sorry" cools tempers - and human generosity is displayed. Perhaps this is why I never saw anyone quarreling on the buses, subways or streets of America.
