Trust
Can traffic jams make people trust you?
Apologizing for something out of your control—like bad weather or a congested commute—makes you seem more credible, finds a new Harvard University study.
Saying you’re sorry for things that clearly aren’t your fault shows you’re taking the victim’s perspective, acknowledging that something unfortunate happened to him or her, and expressing remorse, explains study coauthor Alison Wood Brooks, Ph.D. “These expressions of sympathy lead people to like and trust you more,” she adds.
How can this help you? Whether you’re trying to win a new client’s business or meeting a woman for a first date, tossing out a quick “I’m sorry” for something you had nothing to do with will inflate your trustworthiness in his or her eyes, the research shows. Just don’t overdo it—apologizing frequently can seem annoying or insincere, Brooks says.
Credit:
CASHBLOOGTHIS 