...ที่ Perth, เมืองหลวงของรัฐ Western Australia นักศึกษาที่เดินผ่านเราเวลาจะลงรถโดยสาร จะพูดว่า "Sorry." แทนที่จะพูดว่า "Excuse me."... (I think) here is an example of 'forced pardon' -- 'sorry' is used to express regret after a 'necessary action'. Another example we see is when a tennis ball clips the net and earns a point -- the hitter says "sorry", but keeps the point.

So, "excuse me" is used "before" the event (before we cause some disruption to others), but "I'm sorry" (or just "sorry") is used "after" the event.

"forgive me" and "pardon me" (or just "pardon") can be used before or after the event.