Miss Manners: I gasped at a man’s disfigured face and feel awful

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I was in a subway station waiting for my train, standing near a column, when a gentleman emerged from the other side of the column. I was instantly face-to-face with this man, whose face was missing most of its features, presumably as the result of some trauma.

I am sorry to say I gasped. Very audibly.

We continued to wait for the train, and I didn’t know what to do. I stood there silently, smiling in what I hope was a friendly manner.

I can only plead that the gasp was completely involuntary and reflexive. Should I have apologized? At the time, I thought doing so would just make the situation even more awkward.

I was honestly at a loss as to how to remedy my poor behavior. This happened some time ago, but I have been bothered by it ever since.

GENTLE READER: That