2. Forget the excuses .
The best way to apologize to someone is to remember that a good apology doesn’t include the word “but” (unless you’re a colossally bad speller and are sorry for being a real “but”). If you’re remotely repentant, your “my bad, fam” won’t include anything about Mercury being in retrograde or the sun was in your eyes or “when was I gonna have another shot a threeway with a pre-jail Lil Kim and a post-butt implant Kim K?”
For sure, extenuating circumstances exist but we’re talking about legitimate fault. And, while we’re at it, forget getting a prize for apologizing outside of a slightly clearer conscience.
3. Tell the person you are sorry for causing said injury (and mean it).
A forced apology is virtually valueless. Sure, there is a certain sadistic (or satisfying, I suppose) power dynamic in making a person prostrate herself before you over a minor and/or unintentional slight. However, saying “I’m sorry” is very, very simple. If you appreciate why you may have caused some kind of fallout and you regret it, say so.
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