WE’RE A ‘SORRY’ NATION

Brits just like telly’s Timothy

BRITAIN is full of overpolite “Timothys” who can’t stop apologising all the time, research reveals.

We’re constantly saying Sorry! just like comic Ronnie Corbett’s famous character in the classic Eighties sitcom.

A study found nearly three quarters of us end up using the word to wriggle out of things we don’t want to do – after first agreeing to it so as not to seem impolite.

A similar number struggled to say “no” to friends, family and work colleagues. And more than two thirds of 18 to 24-year-olds and Millennials told researchers they did not have enough “me” time because they felt obliged to say yes to others when they had wanted to say no.

Our awkward side emerged when Smoothies brand Naked asked 2,000 adults how politeness affected their lives.

Spokeswoman Charlotte Ashburner said: “Too often we think we’re being polite, but it’s not impolite to say ‘no’. It’s one of the boldest things you can do.”