EXCUSE ME's don't really get the excuse most of the time...

I ride the MRT everyday and there are these people I encounter who like to go ahead of others in the escalator and you will hear them say, “Excuse me, I’m in a hurry.”
And I’m sure within their thought, “I might be late for work.”

But hey, don’t they realize that we’re all in a hurry…that we’re all hoping to arrive early for work?

When you are conversing with someone and a person passed in between you, says “Excuse me” you just pave the way so the person can pass. Would you give time arguing that he/she should have chosen other path rather than where you are standing? I’m sure you won’t.

When I eat in fast foods like in the most populated bee-chow-hub, I notice some people asking for a share in the table space or a chair for them to occupy and you’ll hear them, “Excuse me, is someone sitting here? Can I occupy this seat?

Don’t they realize that it’s unlikely for the people who seated there first to refuse? Of course, they don’t want to be perceived unkind by the people around. But that doesn’t mean you’re allowed to sit there… or maybe others won’t care anyway it’s a commercial place and they own not a single seat there and you don’t need an excuse for providing one for yourself.

And one thing more, undeniably observable with a lot of folks around…When people sneeze, after the ‘achoo!’ thing you’ll hear them say, “Excuse me.” Again, they are not really excused for that. Watch the people around if this happens to you, they stare at you as if you are SARS virus carrier…well, who knows then. Funny ‘coz this has happened to almost everybody and not just once they said “Excuse me.” I was thinking probably the most appropriate to say after you set-free virus from your nose is “I’m sorry.”
What do ya think?

Summing up, the “excuse me” thing is no longer a claim for a pardon. It’s turns out to be a reflex. Try to figure out from the examples above.
It definitely means that “excuse me” is most of the time uttered unconsciously…much like saying “thank you” without quintessence at all.

So what!?!

Well, it’s just this actually…next time, watch out when you say “Excuse me” and asked further “Am I really excuse?” before you proceed to whatever.

…

Excuse me. I have to go back to work now.