Sorry. Sorry to interrupt. Sorry I’m late. Sorry about the rain. Sorry for everything just mentioned. In the UK, “sorry” is more than an apology; it is a cultural reflex – a compact, five-letter safety valve deployed to cushion requests, ease tension, plug conversational silences and prevent the ultimate social offence of appearing rude. It is hardly surprising that icons of exaggerated politeness like Paddington Bear and Mary Poppins come from Britain. On average, Britons say “sorry” around