I've been thinking about apologies lately. We can all make a list of politicians, sports figures, entertainers, and others in the news who have apologized publicly for something they said or did. I certainly appreciate the gesture but don't put much stock in words alone. Anyone can say anything, but unless they change their behavior and try to do better, apologies are empty. That's how we know they were sincere.
Most of them don't mean it and others didn't need to apologize in the first place but were pressured into it. Sometimes we say things in anger or without thinking and later really are sorry we did it. So what are we really saying when we apologize? Sorry we were caught? Sorry we hurt someone's feelings? Sorry we were being a jerk? Want things back the way they were? Wish it would all be over with? Trying to look good? What do you think?
7 comments:
I always apologize if I have been proved to be wrong about something. I would also apologize if I had said something hurtful, I just think its adult to do so..that's my twopenceworth
I think the apologies from MOST public figures are in the vein of "Sorry I got caught" or "Sorry I hurt someone" not "Sorry.I.Screwed.Up."
I agree, actions speak louder than words. Show me, don't tell me.
Public figures apologizing and regular folks... apples and rocks.
I say sorry only when I mean it, sometimes it is for something that I said but more often it is in the sympathetic way.
Joy, I think most public figures say they are sorry because they were caught, and they don't want the offending event to effect their image or people's perception of them. Everyone else tends say it because they think they hurt someone. They didn't mean to cause the harm that ensued from their comment or action.
I think actions speak louder than words though. The best way to heal a wound is to do something about it, not throw words at it.
I think celebrity and politician apologies are solely motivated by a desire to return to the good graces of the public. I don't believe any of them feel true remorse for their behavior.
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