Do you ever find yourself apologizing for things that aren't your fault? If so, what's the reason?

I do it all the time - even if I am not directly or indirectly involved in the situation at all, and sth is just happening around me, I may still feel guilty. The reason? - perpetual guilt trips. courtesy of my mother, and , to a lesser degree. society as a whole (think Christianity - in spite of not being religious, we are still exposed to it as lots of people are -cult of guilt). Sometimes I actually feel guilty first, and then catch my mind looking for a reason... Earthquake in Chili! that's it.
This is actually ridiculous, because I am not omnipotent - I am responsible only for my own actions, and guilt implies that I am capable to to change anything in the world. Megalomania in a twisted sort of way - now that I've put it this way, I can't even feeling sorry for myself.
Thanks for bringing up the question! now i'm thinking about it! I am going to fail my test , and my life will go down in flames! Look what you did! LOL - Feeling guilty? - you should, because YOU control the way I feel - get the picture?

I am relatively quick to apologize in most cases, unless someone really intentionally works to anger me and abuse me. Generally speaking, in most relationship situations (Not talking foreign policy, which is different) an apology costs me nothing and may stand to gain me much. Most apologies are for inconsequential perceived wrongs. Even if I know I am not at fault, what do I lose by apologizing if it makes someone else feel better and leads to better relations or calms hurt feelings.

If I may expand beyond a direct answer, I also treat others with exaggerated respect at times, especially if it makes someone else feel good and costs me nothing. I recall an incident where my wife was with me one day and I was speaking with a gentleman who was the janitor. I also answered his questions with yes sir or no sir and I always referred to him as Mr. Jones. When we got to our car my wife said, "why do you call him sir, he is just the janitor?" I told her that he is a hard working older gentleman, he does his job well and with pride, and by doing that he has earned my respect. Furthermore, doing so costs me nothing and makes him feel good about himself and his place in our company. Its the right thing to do.

Stated more simply, it comes down to do unto others as you would have others do unto you.

Yes, and to keep the peace

Not any more, but as a child I apologized for anything and everything my parents accused me of. It was a means of survival: if I apologized, maybe I wouldn't get thrown across the room, or get more teeth knocked out, or any of the other fun things they used to do. BUT...if I apologized for something and later they found out I wasn't responsible for it, I got punished for lying. Go figure.

I get accussed for everything-I am a curse! I do nothing wrong-but still feeel the devils horns poking my azzz