The automated railway announcements in the UK say "I'm sorry".
Rubs me up the wrong way, because there would be no way to identify who the individual apologising is.
However, I think error messages should apologise in the rare situation that there is no constructive, helpful, language-neutral way to convey an actionable response in an error.
Do they? I've just spent most of today on the railways, as it happens, but I didn't hear that despite some disruption; indeed I've never heard it. During my journey today, the Eurostar staff apologised over the tannoy personally, and the Great Western train manager personally announced a delay with great enthusiasm on a recent trip ("we are running three minutes behind schedule; we apologise for any inconvenience or disruption").
I'm curious to know which line/operator you've heard this on.
I've got my own pet-peeve automated announcement though: "This is a National Rail security announcement..." Oh no! Is there a riot on the platform? Was someone assaulted? No, listen further: "...If you see something that doesn't look right, text the British Transport Police on 61016".
Like, that's not even a real announcement, and doesn't every passenger know the number by now??
P.S. I feel that it's right to note for those unfamiliar with the English railways that GWR are probably the most effective train operator in England, and that the delay I had wasn't their fault. Eurostar, having almost exclusive use of HS1 and the Channel Tunnel, don't have that excuse available, but they were still impeccablely professional.
Interesting; thank you for responding. I tend to keep my connections somewhat unreasonably short, so maybe I just don't wait around long enough to hear that announcement :)
Rubs me up the wrong way, because there would be no way to identify who the individual apologising is.
However, I think error messages should apologise in the rare situation that there is no constructive, helpful, language-neutral way to convey an actionable response in an error.