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 some apples , the salesman was giving me the change , but I wasn’t ready for it , and a coin dropped on 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 apologize ?
Later on , an American friend explained to me that according to the American ideas, the escalator is public place which everyone should be able to stand in . After someone occupies a position in the escalator , making it difficult for someone else to find a place to stand in , isn’t it necessary to express an apology ?
During my stay in America , I gradually realized that when friction (摩擦) occurs in daily life , Americans don’t care much about who is responsible . If someone is troubled , a “sorry” is always necessary . Even if the other person is hurt , the “sorry” would cool tempers . Perhaps this is why I never saw anyone quarreling on the buses , subways or streets in America .
When I was walking in the street , ____ .
A.a young man wanted to rob me of my bag |
B.a young man ran by and wanted to brush my bag |
C.a young man said sorry to me for touching my bag |
D.a young man came hurriedly to help me with my bag |
When the salesman gave me the change , _____
A.I purposely didn’t want to accept it from the salesman |
B.the salesman purposely didn’t want to pass it to me |
C.I was slower to accept it than the salesman to give it to me |
D.the salesman was slower to give it to me than I could accept it |
The man on whose feet I stepped apologized to me because ____ .
A.the escalator is a public place |
B.the man was very afraid of me |
C.the “sorry” said to me was for everyone |
D.there wasn’t enough room to get my feet in |
In this passage , the author seems to feel _____ the Americans’ “sorry”.
A.angry with | B.disappointed with | C.interested in | D.approving of |