The untamed world over holds or possesses different forms of apologizing or expressing sympathy, guilt, and sadness. In its simplest terms, apology is a deterrent to reflecting guilt in regard to offense committed and also an acceptance of damage. Thus, in the course of this article, the author will describe how people from different countries and speaking different languages apologize. Studying these rather kaleidoscopic cultures we will be able to enhance understanding of the people from different countries, their communication and forgiving capabilities.
China: Apologies and Face
Based on Chinese culture, one can never go wrong when apologizing to another person or asking for pardon. When it come to apologizing the Chinese concept known as “Mianzi” or face holds a critical position. Face means a person’s prestige, honour or position in society and that losing face is a terrible calamity. Chinese culture embeds apology in repairing the loss of face while showing complex language use; “if I have offended you I would like to formally extend my apology.”
Keywords: China, Chinese, culture, apologizing, face, harmony, Mianzi, verbal language, rank, reciprocity.
Japan: Heart and Righteous Acts, and Apologies.
A peculiar feature of Japanese culture is that the people there value the ability to apologize incredibly high. However, pardon making is regarded as one of the deepest acts of both honesty and sincere. Sorry appear in Japan in simple form of “Excuse me”; a genuine apology normally come in form of “Shitsurei shimasu” meaning “I wish to remove myself” This phrase is used in order to apologize for one’s mistakes and to admit own guilt. Japanese culture also, apart from words, regards as honorable actions for correcting previous misconducts and, therefore, making amends as an effective integral part of the apology process.
Keywords: Apology, Japan, Japanese, culture, Shitsurei shimasu, honesty, sincerity, humility, blameless, wrongfulness
India: Sanctions: Evident Forms of Politeness and Culture Dates for This Session
In Indian culture especially, an apology most times involves addressing the elders or the superiors in an appropriate manner. In Hindi, the word which people use to converse sorry is called “Kshamapana”, and the physical movements like folding hands and bowing. An apology in Indian context is also a means to ask forgiveness and build up relationships. Humble yourself and show respect to people and you will see the same from them and they will learn to trust you again.
Keywords: India, culture, Indian, apologies, Kshamapana, respect, elders, forgiveness, trust, respect, humility
Brazil: Apologies and Affection
The South American country of Brazil, speaking Portuguese, has their own ways of apologizing. However, what comes to the top of the features of Brazilians’ apology is the use of a lot of verbal apologies, combined with physical contact such as a hug or a kiss. To the Brazilian culture apologies has been used as an indication of commiseration whereby people perform an emotional catharsis laden with feelings of guilt and remorse.
Keywords: Brazil, culture, Brazilian, apologies, affection, desculpa, empathy, emotions, guilt, remorse
United States: Direct and Concise Apologies
In the States, the communicative function of an apology is characterized as rather straightforward and efficient. Usual modes of saying sorry includes uttering the apology with some form of sympathy to the person or event of who or that has been affected. Basic interpersonal communication skills include interaction such as straightforward clear cut and high degree of acceptability of courteous expressions of an apology such as “I am sorry” or “I was wrong”.
Keywords: United States culture, apologies, direct, brief, sorry, perception, guilt, honesty, sincerity
United Kingdom: Apologies and Etiquette
Peculiarities of culture of apologizing in the United Kingdom can be attributed to the bit of etiquette quite heavily. Apologizing has some of the examples as: ‘please excuse me’ or ‘I have apology for that’. In the United Kingdom, apologising serves as a system of keeping civility and being responsible for one’s actions while avoiding personal emotions such as rage and feeling repentance.
Keywords: United Kingdom, culture, manners, apologizing, politeness, courtesies, social conduct, personality, errors, feelings, theater
France: Apologies and Formality
It is a common practice in and around France, in which a person has to use formal tones and has to accept that the offense is serious. French working people use simple words and are mostly seen either saying words like “Je m’excuse” (I apologize) or “Je suis désolé” (I am sorry), in combination with either a nod or a simple hand gesture. In the French culture, people use apology as a tool of preserving personal dignity and at the same time recognize the facticity of the action which has been committed with focus on courtesy.
Keywords: France, culture, manners, apologies, seriousness, misconduct, Pardon me, I’m Sorry, honor, esteem
8. Germany: Excuses and taking the Blame
Thus, stating the apology in Germany has (and is) thought to demonstrate a high accountability/owning up of the mistake. Instead, Germans think that assumption of guilt is the first way to begin rebuilding. Sorry can be said as ‘Entschuldigung’ loosely translated to mean excuse me and apology is done with a bow of the head. Actually, in German culture, apologies mean a person’s readiness to grow up, to take other people into consideration and compensate the harm done.
Keywords: Germany, culture, apologies, responsibility, acknowledge, mistakes, Entschuldigung, reconciliation, growth, comprehension
9. Australia: Sorry and Humor
The approach to the culture of apologizing in Australia can be therefore described as playful as well as straightforward. They are not too formal or elaborate and they are quite alright being apologised to with lines like no problem or no worries. In the Australian context, apology means concern and appreciation and adds value to easily let go to any situation or any rancour without having to take revenge or have a grudge against anyone.
Keywords: Australia, lightheartedness, apologies, directness, honesty, simplicity,ness, rejection, understanding, No worries, No problem
Conclusion
The fact that the manner in which people offer or provide an apology is an influence of culture is reflected in examining apologies in other cultures. Although there is the possibility of the general pardon and apology to be alike The apology in different cultures and some words that can be used have different meaning and impact here and there in the different countries.
While we continue to learn about the ways the people of the world apologize, it’s necessary to acknowledge that truly meaningful words of apology need to be spoken, need to be heard and need to represent a real act of respect. Accepting these values means that People can progress with their relations within society and with other nations so that the world may be better.
