[stavros]

This is 100% accurate. I've seen someone apologizing for being stepped on (accidentally, of course). It really does mean "we have, unfortunately and inadvertently, crossed paths and must now ward off the evil spirits by acknowledging this".

[benj111]

I think it's just acknowledging that the thing has happened, and you aren't pissed because you know it wasn't intended so they don't need to feel bad.

Of course this being Britain, the tone used could make this mean the opposite.

[toast0]

> I've seen someone apologizing for being stepped on

It is really rude to step underneath other people. Or to lay underneath other people. No wonder they appologized.

[ButlerianJihad]

I was working on my front door and needed to get prone for a few minutes, when of course someone came along and commanded me to move, so I apologized that I couldn't immediately comply, and he fulminated for a while until stepping over my legs, and it wasn't the first time

I had always considered myself considerate and not blocking people and following posted etiquette rules and staying out of the way and being courteous in traffic but it seems the way now is to just follow commands by strangers and accept their abuse because I’m racist/sexist/privileged/trash