DEAR MISS MANNERS: Could you suggest alternative replies to “I’m sorry” when one hears bad or unsettling news from family or friends? When one hears “I lost my job,” “My husband has cancer” or other bad news, a common response is “I’m sorry” to show our empathy. Yet, “I’m sorry” is a sort of apology, accepting one’s responsibility for an undesirable outcome. And the bearer of bad news often replies, “You’ve nothing to be sorry about. You didn’t cause this.” An alternative might be a simple “I understand,” “That’s rough” or “Oh my. Tell me about it,” depending on the exact situation. What do yo…