South Carolina Among The ‘Sorriest’ States But Are We Really?
South Carolina among the ‘sorriest’ states, but are we really? When it comes to being ‘sorry’ there’s a big difference in saying ‘sorry’ and really meaning it. In other words, how sincere is the sentiment? A new study from Preply found that folks in South Carolina say ‘I’m sorry’ four times a day. And, this stat means the state tied with Maine as 4th ‘sorriest’ states in the country.
However, the study went on to find when it comes to the sincerity of the apology South Carolina came in at 16th. So, I guess we don’t always back up our words with actions. And, that puts us on Santa’s naughty list. Maine was number 1 on the least sincere list. But, how do we qualify sincerity when it comes to someone’s apology?
Well, Preply says we need genuine remorse, taking responsibility for actions that led to the apology and acknowledging wrongdoing. And, I tend to think the last two go hand in hand. I mean, how can you take responsibility without acknowledging doing something wrong? Also, victims of the wrongdoing also like to hear a commitment to change. And, a gift never hurts they say.
On the flip side, California and North Carolina ranked tops for states who say ‘sorry’ the least. Those states average only 2 expressions of ‘I’m sorry’ a day. And, those states also tied for number 17 on the most sincere scale.
So, if you struggle to find the right words, Preply even had suggestions. They say the number one phrase to say ‘sorry’ is “I take full responsibility for my mistake, and I’m truly sorry.” And, the old “I apologize for any inconvenience I may have caused” really doesn’t rank high.
Just yesterday, I heard a comedian say women seem to apologize constantly even when it’s not our fault. She said someone can ram a shopping cart into us and we’ll apologize for being in their way. LOL. Truth.
To learn more about South Carolina ‘sorriest’ states label and how all the states rank see the full study from Preply. And, I’m sorry South Carolina if you disagree!
Don't Ever Apologize for These 10 Things
Many of us tend to offer apologies too frequently, even when unnecessary. Occasionally, we find ourselves saying “sorry” for circumstances beyond our control, such as unfavorable weather during an event we’re hosting. At times, we extend apologies for personal life decisions that are well within our rights, like switching jobs or ending a relationship.
Furthermore, we might apologize due to our heightened sensitivity to others’ emotions, in hopes that we didn’t accidentally upset them. It’s great to apologize when we’ve genuinely messed up or think we might have hurt someone without meaning to. But there are some choices we should just own and not feel the need to apologize for.
Excessive Apologizing
According to a report by Forbes, excessive apologizing often occurs in individuals who struggle with low self-esteem, a fear of conflict, and a concern about others’ opinions. They say this tendency is closely linked to having weak personal boundaries, which can lead to taking responsibility for situations we have no involvement in or no control over. As a result, we quickly experience guilt, as if everything is our fault.
In a study published in The European Journal of Social Psychology, researchers found that with each apology, individuals may experience a decrease in their confidence, potentially influencing their self-image. On the other hand, participants who refrained from expressing remorse in these situations showed signs of higher self-esteem, an increased sense of control, and an enhanced sense of integrity, as per the research findings.
When things get rocky with a partner, friend, family member, or coworker, saying a heartfelt “I’m sorry” can be the way to patch things up. Ideally, both sides would do some soul-searching and own up to any wrongdoing. If you’re wondering whether you should apologize for something, just take a peek at situations where there may be no need to apologize.
Debbie Nance is the afternoon co-host along with her husband on "The Charlie and Debbie Show" at WSOC, Country 1037 in Charlotte, North Carolina. She has been with the station for 18 years. Debbie is a CMA Award winner for Radio Personality of the Year. And, she has worked in radio for 40 years. Before her current afternoon position, Debbie spent more than a decade as co-host on morning shows in several markets across the Southeast. As a content creator for Country 1037, Debbie writes articles about food, new restaurants in the Carolinas and travel experiences.