"Thank you" and "I'm sorry"

Hello.
This is Aoyagi.

This time, I would like to write about the difference in usage between "thank you" and "sorry."





The habit of saying "I'm sorry"

When someone does something for you, you might say "I'm sorry" instead of "thank you."

I'm still inexperienced, so I've had to apologize a lot since I was little, and I feel like that habit has become ingrained in me (laughs).





Situations where you tend to say "I'm sorry" when expressing gratitude

・When you press the "open" button in the elevator and they wait for you. ・When the waiter at the cafe wipes the table and offers you a seat. ・When the person across from you in a narrow hallway steps back to let you pass.


This is the perfect time to express your gratitude by saying "Thank you."

But I reflexively apologize, saying, "I'm sorry, I'm sorry..." and later realize that I should have said, "Thank you."





The psychological effects of words

"Thank you"...A magical phrase that expresses gratitude to the other person and warms your own feelings as well.

"Sumimasen" - A phrase used to acknowledge one's own fault and apologize for causing trouble to the other person.


If you use "sumimasen" when expressing gratitude, the other person may feel unnecessarily embarrassed, thinking "Did I do something wrong?"

Saying "thank you" correctly will make both you and the other person feel happy.


Use them according to the situation

If someone lends you a hand → "Thank you"

If someone covers up your mistake → First say "I'm sorry" and then "Thank you"


lastly

Of course, a humble attitude is important, but I think the best etiquette when expressing gratitude is to properly say "thank you."

Instead of just repeatedly saying "I'm sorry," I will try to understand the situation carefully and choose my words carefully.