103
votes
Apologizing when you've hurt a stranger's feelings badly
Since you want to apologize, it's very simple. You can go ahead and start a conversation, not loud, and say like,
I apologize for what I said. I already have an injured leg and when you stepped on my ...
A J♦
- 7,710
88
votes
Accepted
How do I respond to someone apologizing for coughing/yawning?
It's probably best not to say anything. Unless there is something remarkable about the involuntary response, there really isn't a reason to reply to their reflexive remarks after it.
Think of it ...
- 8,380
84
votes
Accepted
Angry at me for not coming over
Sadly, it did not go away and I told her that it might be better if we spend the night separately because I didn't want her to suffer and stay awake just because of my constant coughing.
It's subtle, ...
- 6,386
60
votes
Accepted
Apologizing when you've hurt a stranger's feelings badly
I'm late to this question, but I'd like to take a stab at it.
What you said and did was so painful that I don't think a simple apology and explanation will "make amends".
I am an apology freak, if ...
- 24.8k
47
votes
How should someone apologize when both parties were wrong?
How should someone apologize when both parties were wrong?
Simply put, by apologizing for the wrong that you did. A sincere apology does not come with strings attached, and isn't a chance to sling ...
- 13.6k
41
votes
Accepted
How to accept an apology, without implying that there was no problem?
Depending on how comfortable you feel saying it, you could simply say:
"Thank you, don't worry about it"
And then smile politely.
You're not saying something untrue as it was an accident and I ...
- 6,948
37
votes
Accepted
How to apologize for sexual harassment in the past?
Given that this was triggered by the recent #metoo awareness campaign about sexual harassment, what I have seen some of my friends do and seems to have been received positively, is to join the ...
- 7,274
29
votes
Apologizing to an old roommate
If you are like me, you will live with that remorse forever. Hell, I still remember stupid stuff I did as a kid and never had the chance to apologize and set it free...
My advice is to do what you (...
- 2,070
27
votes
How do I respond to someone apologizing for coughing/yawning?
My grandfather, who was a man of great class and tact, believed that the proper response to someone excusing themself after a bodily sound (burp, cough, etc) was a gracious but casual, "Certainly."
...
- 4,929
26
votes
How do I respond to someone apologizing for coughing/yawning?
One response I sometimes leverage is "I'll never forgive you" -- usually accompanied by a wry smile -- when people apologize for small things like that. This response is obviously fairly sensitive to ...
- 684
24
votes
Angry at me for not coming over
How could I communicate, I did nothing wrong and don't want to apologize
You don't, because "This was all your fault" never goes over well.
If you want to get over this and continue your starting ...
- 7,274
23
votes
Accepted
How do I apologize to my girlfriend after she said her heart is broken?
In my experiences, testing someone usually ends up upsetting the person.
When they tell you something and hold you to it, they expect you to fulfill that desire until they’ve let you know they’re ...
- 3,368
21
votes
Accepted
How should a person be told to apologise when he thinks he isn't wrong?
Here's the thing about Indian classrooms
Teachers usually expect "pindrop silence" and undivided attention when they're teaching, and complete "obedience" in general.
That is, ...
- 10.2k
18
votes
Accepted
How to reply to a message or email after a long delay?
An explanation for the delay is often unnecessary
I second what LMGagne said, an explanation is unnecessary (unless they specifically ask for one), and will only cause more attention to be drawn to ...
- 10.2k
18
votes
Accepted
Issue an apology over inappropriate email
I think that your response is professional and appropriate. Look at it this way:
It is true that you did not send that email. You are being sincere and truthful about it. If someone chooses to ...
- 196
17
votes
Apologizing when you've hurt a stranger's feelings badly
Like AJ I would also recommend making this no more complicated than it is and apologise.
I do think you didn't just hurt her feelings through what you said, but also the fact that the rest of the ...
- 1,617
17
votes
How to tell long distance girlfriend we both did wrong without her closing up again
Let's take a quick look at some of the things that happened and their inherent implications to your situation.
. . . and confronted her in front of all her friends . . .
This was a big mistake. ...
- 3,368
16
votes
How to reply to a message or email after a long delay?
Over the years I've found that it's usually unnecessary to explain a delay in situations like this. More over, that offering an explanation draws attention to the delay and away from the actual ...
- 858
14
votes
Apologizing to an old roommate
It sounds like your desire to apologise is sincere. If only she could read your question here as written.
I don't think anybody can second-guess her response. Any of the outcomes you list are a ...
- 27k
14
votes
How do I reconnect with a friend after they tried once and I failed to respond
I had a "falling-out" with a close friend due to distance/life as well. We used to hangout and talk often, and we were even getting groceries and dinner together every Wednesday for a few months! But ...
- 15.2k
13
votes
Accepted
How to respond to "I'm bothering you" when I do think they're bothering me?
A possible reason for these half-apologies is that they are already imagining how you might feel, looking at the situation from your perspective.
To these half-apologies, the nicest thing would be to ...
- 10.2k
13
votes
How to accept an apology, without implying that there was no problem?
I am delighted to see the question and the interactions. I am (or try to be) a student of life, and I feel I've learned something today.
I suggest:
"I'm fine; thank you." If he seems ...
- 806
13
votes
Accepted
How do I properly apologize to a good friend and let them know that I did not actually want them to move to another city?
My advice for this would be to be blunt. Straight up tell Rick, "Hey, I am sorry if our constant teasing hurt you. We never meant it and it was all in good humour. You are always welcome to come back ...
- 712
13
votes
How to apologise for how you said something without going back on the content
I can't judge whether the content of your message is appropriate. There's not enough context information. But it's a question you should ask yourself: should I have conveyed this message at all, ...
- 511
12
votes
How should a person be told to apologise when he thinks he isn't wrong?
I think this is key: Jon does not need to say "I was wrong, I am sorry for doing a wrong thing." Jon can say "I regret that I upset you when my choice made it appear I wasn't paying attention while ...
- 45k
12
votes
Accepted
How to react to an excuse if it wasn't "Ok"?
"It's ok" doesn't mean "I don't care if people smash into me on the street." It means "I accept your apology and will not continue to hold this against you." Since you are going to walk away and never ...
- 45k
12
votes
How do I get my father back after an extended time of being estranged?
Your mother loves you, and loves your father, so she sees the benefits of the two of you reuniting. Unfortunately, her love is probably optimistic as well.
If you had a toxic relationship with your ...
- 24.8k
12
votes
Accepted
Drunkenly broke a bottle of sauce in someone's kitchen
I'm in the maybe-not-so-unique position of having done exactly this last year, though I didn't get a threatening message. Whoops! I can see two solutions here.
Be the bigger person. Paying for the ...
- 2,507
Only top scored, non community-wiki answers of a minimum length are eligible