On apologies
Any apology using the format "I am sorry if/that you were offended/hurt/grieved by what I did/said" is a non-apology. Some expression of regret for a broken relationship may be present, but there is no genuine admission of guilt or wrong-doing.
Instead, the onus of responsibility for the broken relationship is upon the person that is hurt or grieved. What is really being said, even if implicitly, is "I regret that you are so weak/ignorant/overly-sensitive that you were offended/hurt/grieved. What I did was perfectly fine and if you were a stronger person then we wouldn't be having this problem."
What is really needed is to be an adult, admit you were in the wrong, and get on with your life.
Sure, Justin Timberlake is a particularly visible example of this. But everyone does this.
February 9, 2004 11:32 AMI agree with you 100%. I went to a new employee orientation at one of the local hospitals and they told us, if someone wants an apology and you don't think you need to apologize, do it like this "I am sorry you're expectations weren't met." Hmm...
Pondered by peninah at February 9, 2004 01:22 PM