I have very bad memories of that word. First of all, my mother would never, ever say sorry for any of the things she did which hurt people.
Because of this, when I did something wrong, I was more than happy to admit it and apologise and what did I get?
"Huh, no point in saying "sorry", sorry isn't enough!!'
'Unexpected shopping item"? Did it leap into your bag without you noticing? Are you, at this very minute, being held by a floor walker, expecting the imminent arrival of police questioning and asking for our advice??
Perhaps you are being belaboured about the ears, even as we speak, by said floor walker who is apologising but you know full well they intend bashing you until you confess? Hence the second part of your post.
Hyper-critical? Oooh sorry for breathing!!