You can tell someone had a tough childhood if they apologize for taking up space - not in the dramatic way, but in the small daily way, the sorry before the question, the thank you after the ordinary kindness, the slight surprise every time someone is simply decent to them, as though decency was never something they learned to expect - Silicon Canals

"The weight of invisible apologies manifests in quiet, almost reflexive statements that slip out before thoughts are fully formed, such as 'Sorry to bother you, but...'."

"When you grow up in an environment where your needs are treated as inconveniences, you learn to minimize them, leading to a pattern of apologizing for taking up space."

Many people unconsciously apologize in everyday interactions, often feeling the need to make themselves smaller in social settings. This behavior can stem from childhood experiences where their needs were viewed as inconveniences. Such individuals may express surprise at kindness, indicating a deeper issue with self-worth. The pattern of reflexive apologies can hinder personal expression and confidence, as it becomes an automatic response in conversations, even when no offense is intended.

Read at Silicon Canals