"I'm sorry you feel that way" is up there.
Only right answer.
If you don't think the same, I'm sorry you feel that way.
And that's most every corporate apology out there!
Classic non-apology.
It’s not that I did anything wrong, it’s just that you decided to feel offended about it, that’s the real problem here.
I had a teacher tell me to drop out then be forced to write an apology letter for it.
She wrote "I'm sorry you thought I told you to drop out."
So I'm gonna say "I'm sorry you thought" is high up there. Straight up gaslighting.
Drive me nuts.
Its definitely some fucked up attempt at uno reversing. They can't admit mistake. Or worse, rather than try to understand the disconnect, they went into "it's your fault".
Don't confuse it with the "I'm sorry you feel that way" as sometimes it sounds similar and used to the same effect, but different because it's not trying to shift blame, but acknowledge your emotions.
I’m sorry, but …
That one entirely depends on what the "but" is. You can be sorry and have an entirely good reason for fucking up. Its not a great start though.
"You slept with me and didnt call me all week!"
"I'm sorry but there was a TNG marathon on"
I'm sorry, but my mom died"
🚫 Conditional apologies:
- "I'm sorry if..."
- "I'm sorry but..."
- "I'm sorry for [not the main thing you should be apologizing for]..."
🚫 Apologizing on behalf of the recipient:
- "I'm sorry you feel that way"
- "I'm sorry you came to that conclusion"
🚫 Insulting the intelligence of the recipient by way of apology:
- "I'm sorry for not being more clear"
- "I'm sorry about being so misleading"
🚫 Non-apologies:
- "I apologize for..."
- "It's regrettable that..."
- "It was terrible to..."
When in doubt, keep it simple. Get the main apology out ASAP, then carefully start saying your piece afterward. Focus on yourself if the situation demands explaining yourself (many don't). Be extremely careful to speak only constructively about other individuals during the apology (if you can't say something nice...).
For example: "I'm sorry. I didn't mean it like that. Is there anything I can do to make it up to you?"
🚫 Insulting the intelligence of the recipient by way of apology:
- "I'm sorry for not being more clear"
- "I'm sorry about being so misleading"
How are those insulting? Saying that I should have been more clear means I am the one who messed up by not communicating properly. Something like "sorry that you misunderstood" would be insulting since it places the blame on the recipient's intelligence.
They're not inherently insulting - there are ways to use those phrases appropriately, but they can be (and often are) used sarcastically, when the speaker had been clear in the first place.
I'm sorry for not being more clear about how the dishes should be done.
"The intent is to provide players with a sense of pride and accomplishment"
Corporate jingle plays
"And now, a message from our company president..."
My husband's favourite is "I'm sorry you got upset."
"Ew do I really have to apologise to it? Fine..."
"I'm sorry that you...[took it that way, misunderstood, etc]" basically saying "this is your fault, but I'll apologize anyway"
“I’m sorry that you were upset about it”
“I feel like I shouldn’t have to keep apologizing but I will anyways”
“I’m sorry if what I did was misinterpreted”
Or my favorite
“It’s not something that I need to apologize for but if it makes you happy”
“IF I’ve offended you, I’m sorry.”
It’s not an apology if you don’t start by agreeing with the other person’s viewpoint.
Instead say: “I can understand why you’re offended. What I didn’t wasn’t acceptable and here’s why: …”
"I'm sorry that you feel that way"
I am 100% right, but since saying "sorry" is the only way you might shut up...
You don't really deserve this, but whatever dick head....
"Even though you .."
pulls out ukulele
Look...
"My mommy made me write this because you got your fee fees hurt"
"This shouldn't be necessary, but in case you got this wrong, ..."
'Some Ill informed people may see things your way, but...'
Anything following "I don't know how this happened" is a non-starter. If you don't know, then how can you really be sorry?
“Before I apologize…”
Not understanding what’s wrong, so you can only grasp at why the other person is mad probably making them even angrier
"I know I'm not wrong but..."
Waiting until it's "water under the bridge" and then apologizing because no amends have to be made and it still makes them look better. I'm no expert on apologies as a Reddit post of mine gives away, but one thing I'm sure of is an apology is supposed to be diplomatic.
Side note, I have decided this is the best way to apologize to me. Nothing else is necessary.
Ya know, I'm not actually sorry, but I'm being forced to apologize. Next time just don't get upset, you cowardly snowflake and I won't have to apologize. Sorry, not actually sorry.
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