# apologies **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 22, 2012, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/apologies/625982 "2012-06-22T19:47:25Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2012, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/apologies/625982/21 "2012-06-24T20:38:03Z")
I recently was an asshole to a man trying to make good about a complaint I had regarding his web site. Once I realized what had happened I offered him and apology and an explanation - but not an excuse. I was wrong and owned it. (I thought about starting a thread praising his web site. There is a story there and he impressed the heck out of me. I worried that it might be seen as spam and decided not to start the thread, so I will just say that if you buy bath salts, buy from San Francisco Salt Company) That is how I want others to deal with things. \* I’m sorry, here is an explanation, but not an excuse for my behavior. I will try not to do it again.\* I don’t need a plan on how they won’t do it again. If they continue to do it, the apology and the plan mean nothing to me anyway. I guess I’m saying that actions speak louder than words. So just _I’m sorry_ works for me. ---
**Author:** ![Sleeps\_With\_Butterflies](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bb73d2/32.png) [@Sleeps\_With\_Butterflies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sleeps_With_Butterflies)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2012, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/apologies/625982/22 "2012-06-24T21:10:07Z")
For the most part I’m fine with just “I’m sorry” but I suppose it could depend on the person involved and the situation. I have to admit it’s a little bewildering to read some of the rules/requirements some people here put on people who aren’t their children or subordinates. ---
**Author:** ![Kimmy\_Gibbler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Kimmy\_Gibbler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimmy_Gibbler)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2012, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/apologies/625982/23 "2012-06-24T21:11:04Z")
> [@Brynda](#): > > I have noticed that if someone says they are sorry, it doesn’t feel complete to me unless they also include something about how they will try harder, or some other way to avoid making the same mistake again. I am curious if I am alone in this. > > Poll to follow. Of course, if you make to hard to be apologized to too often, people just stop doing it altogether. ---
**Author:** ![Brynda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e79b87/32.png) [@Brynda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brynda)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2012, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/apologies/625982/24 "2012-06-24T21:11:16Z")
Ah, I see " I will try not to do it again" as a plan. Or “I will be more careful.” I didn’t mean a plan with photos and arrows and statements signed in blood. 🙂 Just some sort of statement about not repeating the error. ---
**Author:** ![Sleeps\_With\_Butterflies](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bb73d2/32.png) [@Sleeps\_With\_Butterflies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sleeps_With_Butterflies)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2012, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/apologies/625982/25 "2012-06-24T21:14:04Z")
For me, it paints a picture of high maintenance to require such things. But, that’s just my opinion. ---
**Author:** ![Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/f04885/32.png) [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qin_Shi_Huangdi)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2012, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/apologies/625982/26 "2012-06-24T23:47:43Z")
If it is something minor such as forgetting to cover your mouth when sneezing. ---
**Author:** ![Count\_Blucher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Count\_Blucher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Count_Blucher)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2012, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/apologies/625982/27 "2012-06-25T00:38:32Z")
I’ve seen too many supposedly well educated, supposedly well mannered, adults willing to regress into feet-stamping childish tantrums when they don’t get their way in recent years, and all without and “I’m Sorry” even on the edge of the horizon. I’ll take an “I’m Sorry”, as long as it isn’t stapled to a long “I’m not _really_ sorry, because all of my issues are really _all of your fault_” or sandwiched between squinted eyes and a smirk. Saying “I’m Sorry” today is well above the curve. ---
**Author:** ![Hypno-Toad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b2d939/32.png) [@Hypno-Toad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hypno-Toad)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2012, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/apologies/625982/28 "2012-06-25T00:39:11Z")
It has to be more than just, “I’m sorry.” But as long as it’s an expression of regret, that’s fine. ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2012, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/apologies/625982/29 "2012-06-25T01:44:17Z")
It depends. Small stuff? “I’m sorry” is sufficient. You and I both know one of us is going to be saying it again sooner or later anyway. Big stuff? Sorry doesn’t mean jack shit if I think it’s going to happen again, so I kinda want to hear more than just that. Been through that far too many times in my life, so maybe it’s just me being gunshy. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/apologies/625982.md?page=1)