3 Wrong Ways to Say We’re Sorry
And 3 ways to do it right
Apologizing is an art and a skill that has benefits for both us and the person we have offended. Unfortunately, an apology often can go wrong — badly wrong.
“Sorry” is easy to say. We toss the word around like confetti at a wedding — when we bump into someone, arrive late for a date or meeting, fail to follow through on something, and so on. We’re sorry, you’re sorry, everyone is sorry.
But if we’re sorry about everything, how meaningful will our apology be when we truly need to express our regret over something we said or did that harmed or insulted someone?
Sorry has lost its meaning. So, what is the right way to say we’re sorry?
Why Apologizing Matters
“Apologizing does not always mean that you are wrong, and the other person is right. It just means that you value your relationship more than your ego.” Unknown
Saying we’re sorry and meaning it is the first step in making amends for our bad behavior. While we may not be able to erase what we did, our apology is a peace offering. It attempts to close the gap that has widened between us and shows that we respect and value our relationship.
