Sorry vs Excuse Me

In California, people say "Excuse Me!" for the usual reasons. In NI, people say "Sorry!".

(In France, I've noticed folk say "Pardon" or "Excusez-moi", never "Desole(e)" (imagine an acute accent in there, would you!))

Also, of course, people say "Sorry" with all sorts of interesting intonations. I've never noticed that with "Excuse me".

But I'm sure it reveals something interesting about psyche and self-esteem.

I must start saying "Excuse me!" instead of "Sorry!"...