The magic word 'sorry'
The way that The Daily Star apologises when it makes a mistake is a model for the nation!
It is rather a shock for those of us brought up in gentler times and cultures to adjust to the way in which the word 'sorry' seems to be used mainly by a 'junior' (ie inferior person) to a 'senior' (ie superior person).
Few of the latter, it seems, are inclined to apologise for anything, particularly not in front of 'inferiors' - or say, as you did, recently, 'I stand corrected' - a charming expression.
When I was a principal who taught moral education (as well as other things), I wrote a worksheet using a title I had found somewhere. The Magic Word 'Sorry' in order to help my pupils to get the idea--the expression caught on and, when I was strolling around in tiffin time, I would sometimes hear the thunder of small feet and would be surrounded by a group of children with one of them pointing an accusing finger, “Madam! He did NOT use the magic word 'sorry'!”
If a good example is given, it is possible for the idea to spread!
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel.
Comments