Do most people say"I'm sorry"only when caught doing something wrong?

People in sports and politics, like actors, are not indicative of the general population. So you mean do most celebrities say "I'm sorry" only when caught doing something wrong?

The answer is yes, celebrities only apologize when they've been caught doing something.

Now the reasons for this may vary. Some may believe themselves above the law or above public opinion and just don't think they need to apologize for doing anything. Others may feel regret but cannot come forward because of the immediate and torrential media blitz that would likely accompany their confession and subsequent apology.

So lets say Rodriguez had come forward three months ago and said, "you know what, I want everyone to know that several years ago I took some steroids. I haven't done it since and I'm very sorry for having done it, but I wanted to be honest with the public and my fans and let you know I let you down but I'm going to move ahead and try to earn your respect again."

That would have been a sincere apology.

Now the general public, I think we apologize for things all the time.

I think the problem with using celebrities, politicians and famous sports people as an example with this question is that they are in a special situation. Some of these people get blasted by the press, by fans and by people sponsoring them for doing something that a regular citizen would get minor grief about. This intense scrutiny forces them into a position of either saying they are sorry or losing their status and position.

Some of these people may actually be sorry, but I think many of them don't necessarily believe that what they did was wrong, they say it to stay in the good graces of the press.

For example, Michael Phelps got caught smoking marijuana. Now, he may actually be sorry for the example he set for younger children that look up to him... but on the other hand, there are many many people in this country who have tried smoking pot once or more times and because they are normal citizens, havn't had to apologize. So it is also possible that he was acting out a little like many young people(especially in california) and trying marijuana, didn't think it was wrong at the time, but realizes the position it put him in by being found out... so he apologizes.

But I think that normal people say they are sorry without being caught. For example, I broke up with my boyfriend because I had began to have feelings for someone else. He didn't find out on his own, I could have kept the reason why I was breaking up with him a secret and thus not have to deal with his anger and frustration, but he has always fiercly valued honesty so I told him the truth and apologized for hurting his feelings, and meant it.

No, I don't belive so, I apolagise a lot and not because I am a bad person or have done something bad, but because I am truly sorry, it can be so many things, laghing in the middle of a conversation is not specifically bad but I apolagize for those kind of things too, I think saying hat people only say "I'm Sorry" when caught doing something wrong, is a generalisation and is maybe becoming more true with time, people forget to apolagise for the most simple things. :)

I too believe there are some very few, that come forward ahead of being caught. But, human nature for some reason is to forget about wrongs. Have you ever watch "Earl" He is trying to set his wrongs he has done.

In real life people are not coming forth unless they are caught. Look at our new president's cabinet members.....2 just "forgot" to pay their taxes. Yea RIGHT. There are those that realize their mistake and fix it that we do not hear about in the news.

I come ahead a lot because I'd also like people to do the same. Making mistakes is normal but taking responsibility for them shows emotional maturity.

Polite people apologize whenever they have done something wrong, but it's generally an accident because polite people watch their mouth and don't offend or hurt others.

I say "sorry" to someone if something is wrong with them. I like to let them know that I do care, and I hope that the problem will soon go away. [:

Because they've been caught. They are trying to make up for their wrong doings. He's disappointed his fans and now he's trying to make amends.

I say "sorry" whenever I bump into someone or do something that might aggravate person. Even when it's not my fault.

Yes - since that is what people (and the press) want because it makes them feel better...