23 December, 2007

We're SO sorry

Why, when informing passengers that a train will arrive at Warrington Bank Quay station twelve minutes late, does the pre-recorded voice sound like it's sorrowfully announcing the death of a puppy?
They ought to watch that – such concentrated insincerity will corrode the PA system.

And why is the message "I am sorry for the delay." – how can announcement-synthesis software express its own regret? Surely that should be "We regret..." i.e. a corporate statement.
Presumably there's a reason for it – a focus group decision, perhaps?