# How To Apologise Effectively **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [October 14, 2011, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-apologise-effectively/599595 "2011-10-14T02:10:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Scissorjack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c67d28/32.png) [@Scissorjack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scissorjack)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2011, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-apologise-effectively/599595/1 "2011-10-14T02:10:24Z")
[How to apologise effectively for advertising problems](http://thechive.com/2011/10/12/were-on-it/), from The Chive recently: 1/ Acknowledge that there is a problem 2/ Apologise for it 3/ Explain how and why it is occurring 4/ Do something about it, and say what that something is 5/ Keep a sense of humour Not pictured: finger-pointing, buck-passing, wagon-circling and probably dwarf-tossing. Read, and learn something about how a successful business is run. ---
**Author:** ![PlainJain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/5daacb/32.png) [@PlainJain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PlainJain)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2011, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-apologise-effectively/599595/2 "2011-10-14T02:32:56Z")
Wouldn’t that be awesome? Not holding my breath, though… ---
**Author:** ![TubaDiva](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tubadiva/32/507_2.png) [@TubaDiva](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TubaDiva)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2011, 2:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-apologise-effectively/599595/3 "2011-10-14T02:38:22Z")
You go first. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![PlainJain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/5daacb/32.png) [@PlainJain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PlainJain)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2011, 4:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-apologise-effectively/599595/4 "2011-10-14T04:23:23Z")
> [@TubaDiva](#): > > You go first. 😃 Hi. My name Jain and I am an apologist… 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Arnold\_Winkelried](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Arnold\_Winkelried](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arnold_Winkelried)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2011, 5:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-apologise-effectively/599595/5 "2011-10-14T05:18:17Z")
Don’t forget this part. > [@](#): > > Here’s what you can do to help: > -stop wasting your time sending hate mail, WE KNOW. ---
**Author:** ![Scissorjack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c67d28/32.png) [@Scissorjack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scissorjack)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2011, 10:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-apologise-effectively/599595/6 "2011-10-14T10:53:36Z")
> [@Arnold\_Winkelried](#): > > Don’t forget this part. I think it rather suggests that steps 1 - 5 have been done first, _Noodles_; you don’t just get to default to “shut up and stop bothering us” and still expect the punters to stump up. ---
**Author:** ![bucketybuck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/898d66/32.png) [@bucketybuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bucketybuck)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2011, 11:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-apologise-effectively/599595/7 "2011-10-14T11:01:48Z")
> [@Scissorjack](#): > > still expect the punters to stump up. _Looks at user title, laughs._ ---
**Author:** ![PlainJain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/5daacb/32.png) [@PlainJain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PlainJain)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2011, 11:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-apologise-effectively/599595/8 "2011-10-14T11:04:11Z")
> [@Arnold\_Winkelried](#): > > Don’t forget this part. Like I said, I’m not holding my breath. ---
**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2011, 11:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-apologise-effectively/599595/9 "2011-10-14T11:33:07Z")
No, sorry mate, but this OP never crossed my desk. I have no idea what you’re talking about but I hope it all works out for you. Let me know if I can be of any assistance. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2011, 11:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-apologise-effectively/599595/10 "2011-10-14T11:35:57Z")
> [@Scissorjack](#): > > [How to apologise effectively for advertising problems](http://thechive.com/2011/10/12/were-on-it/), from The Chive recently: > > 1/ Acknowledge that there is a problem > > 2/ Apologise for it > > 3/ Explain how and why it is occurring > > 4/ Do something about it, and say what that something is > > 5/ Keep a sense of humour > > Not pictured: finger-pointing, buck-passing, wagon-circling and probably dwarf-tossing. Read, and learn something about how a successful business is run. Is this directed at anyone in particular? ---
**Author:** ![Skammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skammer/32/143_2.png) [@Skammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skammer)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2011, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-apologise-effectively/599595/11 "2011-10-14T14:58:24Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Is this directed at anyone in particular? Yeah, I feel like I’m missing some context here. ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Ashtar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ea924/32.png) [@Lord\_Ashtar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Ashtar)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2011, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-apologise-effectively/599595/12 "2011-10-14T15:03:39Z")
I think he’s complaining about the ads. ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2011, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-apologise-effectively/599595/13 "2011-10-14T15:12:53Z")
> [@](#): > > I have no idea what you’re talking about > [@](#): > > Is this directed at anyone in particular? > [@](#): > > Yeah, I feel like I’m missing some context here. Folks, this isn’t hard to understand. There have been complaints recently about ads on the dope making noise. > **[Audio ads?](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=623438)** > > Am I going mad, or are there audio ads on the Straight Dope messageboards? Often if I’ve had the internet open for a while, I will hear an ad for some video, and it’s usually for a British product. I can’t see anything on any of my open pages, inc.... > **[Is anyone else hearing audio ads while on the SDMB?](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=626222)** > > Just started last week. Is this a thing negotiated, or is it a bug? And how do I mute the ad without muting my PC audio entirely? > **[Loud adverts with no apparent source](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=613568)** > > Just loaded this page, and I get an advert on my speakers for Harpic, completely unrelated to any of the visible adverts, so no way to mute it. Worse it seems to play on a loop. This has happened on a few other SDMB pages to me recently as well. The OP links to another site that APOLOGISES for audio ads. And takes steps to eliminate them. The implication is that the dope should do the same. ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2011, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-apologise-effectively/599595/14 "2011-10-14T15:15:46Z")
> [@Peter\_Morris](#): > > Folks, this isn’t hard to understand. I sure as heck didn’t get it until you posted your explanation - if that makes me an idjit, so be it, but thank you for 'splainin things. I think the first part of Fighting Ignorance is to communicate clearly. To me, the OP didn’t do that. YMMV. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2011, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-apologise-effectively/599595/15 "2011-10-14T15:16:19Z")
> [@Peter\_Morris](#): > > Folks, this isn’t hard to understand. > > There have been complaints recently about ads on the dope making noise. > [Audio ads? - About This Message Board - Straight Dope Message Board](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=623438) > [Is anyone else hearing audio ads while on the SDMB? - About This Message Board - Straight Dope Message Board](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=626222) > [Loud adverts with no apparent source - About This Message Board - Straight Dope Message Board](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=613568) > > The OP links to another site that APOLOGISES for audio ads. And takes steps to eliminate them. > > The implication is that the dope should do the same. I think the _false_ implication is that the Dope hasn’t. ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2011, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-apologise-effectively/599595/16 "2011-10-14T15:23:38Z")
I must have missed the dope’s apology. Care to provide a link? What I see is Tuba’s “you go first” remark. Yeah, dopers bothered by audio ads don’t get an apology, unless they apologise to Tuba first. :rolleyes: And probably not even then. Did the dope even solve the problem? I don’t know because I use an effective adblocker. I never saw/ heard the ads to begin with. If you solved the problem, did you announce it? ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2011, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-apologise-effectively/599595/17 "2011-10-14T15:33:24Z")
> [@Peter\_Morris](#): > > I must have missed the dope’s apology. Care to provide a link? > > What I see is Tuba’s “you go first” remark. Yeah, dopers bothered by audio ads don’t get an apology, unless they apologise to Tuba first. :rolleyes: > > And probably not even then. > > Did the dope even solve the problem? I don’t know because I use an effective adblocker. I never saw/ heard the ads to begin with. If you solved the problem, did you announce it? It took less than 7 seconds to find [this thread](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=590441&highlight=sound), in which Ed responds directly to the problem. Now, maybe you _personally_ didn’t get a response but then again as you pointed out this was never _your_ problem to begin with. ---
**Author:** ![SiXSwordS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/49beb7/32.png) [@SiXSwordS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SiXSwordS)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2011, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-apologise-effectively/599595/18 "2011-10-14T15:58:11Z")
I didn’t come up with this idea, and even if I did, it’s not actually my department and the suggestion was meant as a possible avenue of investigation rather than an idea to implemented before the requisite research had been completed. I can give you the voice mail of the person in-charge of that arena, but a solution may not be immediately forth-coming. ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2011, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-apologise-effectively/599595/19 "2011-10-14T16:09:43Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > It took less than 7 seconds to find [this thread](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=590441&highlight=sound), in which Ed responds directly to the problem. Now, maybe you _personally_ didn’t get a response but then again as you pointed out this was never _your_ problem to begin with. Perhaps if you had taken more than seven seconds you could have found a cite that actually answers the point. The fact is, Ed’s response was several months BEFORE the three threads I listed. The problem was not actually solved by Ed “addressing” it. And I’m still not seeing the apology that you claimed. Now, if you wish to say that the situation doesn’t NEED an apology, that’s fine. I won’t argue about it. But your statement that the OP was a “false implication” in effect calling the OP a liar, that’s something I object to. I’m going to ask you to either prove your claim or withdraw it. ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2011, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-apologise-effectively/599595/20 "2011-10-14T16:27:46Z")
> [@WordMan](#): > > I sure as heck didn’t get it until you posted your explanation - if that makes me an idjit, so be it, but thank you for 'splainin things. > > I think the first part of Fighting Ignorance is to communicate clearly. To me, the OP didn’t do that. YMMV. Yeah, I didn’t get it either. In fact, I couldn’t figure out what the heck this had to do with the message boards and I was about to report it for a forum change. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-apologise-effectively/599595.md?page=2)