C
It’s been called the “hardest word,” but some women seem to use the word “sorry” as everything from a way to interject their thoughts into a conversation to a way of prefacing any request for help. Yesterday, Pantene even released a video about how often women apologize in everyday situations.
Apologizing unnecessarily puts women in a subservient（恭顺的） position and makes people lose respect for them, says executive coach and radio host Bonnie Marcus. Sylvia Ann Hewlett, founder of the Manhattan-based think tank, Center for Talent Innovation and author of Executive Presence: The Missing Link Between Talent and Success, says using “sorry” frequently undermines our gravitas and makes them appear unfit for leadership.
It’s not like women don’t know it’s a bad habit. So, why do they do it?
Business consultant Kathryn D. Cramer, author of Lead Positive: What Highly Effective Leaders See, Say, and Do, says women are socialized from an early age to focus on relationships and nurturing. Any sign of strength can be off-putting, so they’re conditioned to soften communication that can be construed as assertive or aggressive. Apologizing before speaking—or in any situation where women must show strength or where there is potential for conflict—is one way of doing so.
She adds that workplace culture contributes to its use, too. In many cases, strong women need to find ways to temper（使温和） their personalities or risk being called “rude,” “abrasive,” or even risk their jobs if they don’t find ways to soften others’ perception, she says. But saying “sorry” too often can be more career-killing than being disliked. So, it’s time to purge the word unless you really have something to be sorry about.
Marcus suggests keeping a log（日志） of when you “sorry,” what the situation was, and how you felt. Sometimes, “sorry” is just a verbal tic（言语抽搐）, but some usage patterns may indicate a situation or person who makes you feel insecure, she says. Being aware of those triggers and how they influence your language can help you be more vigilant in “changing your communication so you’re coming from a position of strength and equality,” she says.
Trusted friends can help you break the habit by quietly letting you know when you’re using “sorry” inappropriately, Cramer says. Knowing that you’re under another watchful eye is also going to make you more aware of your speech, she says.
Sometimes, saying “sorry” is easier than thinking about the word you really want to say, or becomes a way of softening your words or opinion before they’re even out of your mouth, Cramer says. If either is the case, be more careful to choose the word or phrase you really mean to say. “Start your statement with, ‘Let me say this…’ or some other word or phrase that reflects your meaning better than saying ‘sorry,’” she says.
Sometimes, instead of saying “sorry,” it’s best to not say anything at all. Hewlett encourages women to embrace the power of silence. Using silence deliberately makes people uncomfortable, but not in an aggressive way,” she says.
According to the passage, women’s habitual apologies                .

A．make it hard for them to start a new conversation

B．are a barrier to displaying their hidden talents

C．prove it is brave of them to admit mistakes

D．show they are in socially inferior positions

What does the underlined word “so” in Paragraph 4 probably refer to?

A．Making statements less aggressive.

B．Following workplace culture.

C．Realizing full potential.

D．Voicing complaints.

The author uses the last three paragraphs mainly to                .

A．provide typical examples

B．make comparisons

C．offer suggestions

D．analyze effects

Which would be the best title for the passage?

A．Why are women always apologizing?

B．What are the techniques for apologizing?

C．Women should have a place in the modern world

D．I’m sorry, but women really need to stop apologizing