Is it easy for you to say "I'm sorry" to someone?

by Wotz Banned
23 replies
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How easy is it for people to say "sorry" to another person they have wronged? What if that person is your subordinate or your "hated" mother-in-law, even your "frenemy?"

For me, it's never easy to ask for forgiveness from another person. It's harder to even admit I was wrong. Can you relate?
  • Profile picture of the author Kay King
    Not really - if I'm wrong - I'm wrong. It doesn't hurt me to say so. I don't need to beg forgiveness - but say "sorry, I was wrong about that."

    Pretending I'm not wrong doesn't make me right. Refusing to admit to an error in speech, action or judgment has nothing to do with who was involved - only to do with YOU. It's a character flaw to be fixed.

    Insisting I'm right when I know I'm wrong just makes me stubborn and a fool.

    kay
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    • Profile picture of the author Dave Patterson
      Originally Posted by Kay King View Post


      Insisting I'm right when I know I'm wrong just makes me stubborn and a fool.

      kay
      Gee thanks Kay. Now whenever my wife says "OK....whatever" this line is going to be running thru my head.
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      • Profile picture of the author MissTerraK
        It's very easy to say I'm sorry. The phrase I'm sorry is the same to me as you're welcome, or thank you.

        It just wastes good energy and creates unnecessary drama if you don't or won't say it when you are wrong.

        Terra
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        • Profile picture of the author highhopes
          yes if you have done something to offend or have messed something up....i have a lifetime of saying sorry under my belt.
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  • Profile picture of the author Robert Michael
    ^ Exactly what Kay said.

    I have no problem admitting when I'm wrong. And if that means apologizing, then so be it.
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  • Profile picture of the author HeySal
    Same here - if I'm wrong I'm wrong. I can be stubborn in some fields and need some proof but once I find out I was wrong, I eat crow without a problem. If I'm saying "sorry" because I hurt someone or caused them a real hassle, then it's REAL easy.
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    • Profile picture of the author highhopes
      Originally Posted by HeySal View Post

      Same here - if I'm wrong I'm wrong. I can be stubborn in some fields and need some proof but once I find out I was wrong, I eat crow without a problem. If I'm saying "sorry" because I hurt someone or caused them a real hassle, then it's REAL easy.
      that is so true Sal...in business for instance, I will admit to a mistake if applicable and front up with the client and each time i have noticed by playing a straight bat with people they really do appreciate honesty, then in turn this leads to greater trust, etc.
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  • Profile picture of the author Halcyon
    Saying I'm sorry is easy, making amends and correcting the behavior is where many people fall into trouble.
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  • Profile picture of the author lcombs
    My father used to tell me "Never do something you have to apologize for".
    It took me years to figure it out, but I finally did.
    Even still, it's virtually impossible to go day-to-day without doing something
    you need to apologize for.
    I never do anything intentionally to wrong anyone but it happens.
    And when it does, I have absolutely no problem saying "I'm sorry".
    I can't imagine why anyone would.
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    • Profile picture of the author Kay King
      I should add that I have been stubborn and a fool at times- but I apologized:p

      It's also true that "I'm sorry" is not an excuse you can use to bail yourself out from repeated mistakes. It's a mea culpa, not a get-out-of-jail-free card.
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      Saving one dog will not change the world - but the world changes forever for that one dog
      ***
      Dear April: I don't want any trouble from you.
      January was long, February was iffy, March was a freaking dumpster fire.
      So sit down, be quiet, and don't touch anything.
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      • Profile picture of the author Patrician
        Originally Posted by Kay King View Post


        It's also true that "I'm sorry" is not an excuse you can use to bail yourself out from repeated mistakes. It's a mea culpa, not a get-out-of-jail-free card.
        This is close to what I am having trouble articulating.

        I have no problem at all saying I am sorry or forgiving people who say it to me.

        However 'I'm sorry' is just so hollow sometimes. I appreciate the sentiment 'it's the thought that counts' but it doesn't fix things - sure I forgive you but again, sometimes it is meaningless that you are sorry and I forgive you. The problem is still there.

        I dunno I hope somebody understands what I mean because i am still having trouble saying what I mean.

        Actually sometimes when it is serious I say to myself I forgive you but I don't forget. Real, true forgiveness does forget.

        Maybe that's my problem. 'Elephants never forget'.:rolleyes:

        Yeah - 'I'm sorry is not get out of jail free card' - that is pretty close...

        Don't over use it.

        For customer service they do say that how you resolve a conflict can actually make your bond stronger with the customer than if you had never made a mistake. This would usually involve an apology even if it wasn't your mistake - just sorry for the confusion, hassle, aggravation, etc. (of course followed by the fact you have fixed it).
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        • Profile picture of the author zaina
          If i am wrong then i will thought i will apologize.This is the best way of forgiveness.
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  • Profile picture of the author Magento developer
    Not at all, I feel guilty while saying sorry to the concerned person.
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  • Profile picture of the author Jonathan 2.0
    Banned
    Sometimes it's easy and “natural.” Other times it's difficult. I suppose it depends on the context.
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    "Each problem has hidden in it an opportunity so powerful that it literally dwarfs the problem. The greatest success stories were created by people who recognized a problem and turned it into an opportunity."―Joseph Sugarman
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  • Profile picture of the author Dennis Gaskill
    It's easy to say I'm sorry. Sometimes I just call up random strangers from the phone book and apologize. It always seems to make them feel better.
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  • Profile picture of the author jordanj
    It is easy to say i am sorry,
    But you can feel the pain of that person.
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  • Profile picture of the author Roger08
    It depends on the situation..

    It's easy to say sorry if you know you are the one who made a mistake..BUT
    it's hard to say sorry to someone when you know you are the one who is right and he/she is the one should say that to you..but you have to do it..
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  • Profile picture of the author MaxBounty
    I don't have a problem saying "I'm sorry".

    Apologizing doesn't cost me anything and my relationships are more valuable to me than my ego.
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  • Profile picture of the author kamlesh23
    Admitting that you were wrong is the best way and in my opinion only few people have the courage to say sorry. I know a very good website with nice collection of say sorry quotes but I am unable to share the link in the post due to some post limitations. I'll PM you that URL.
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  • Profile picture of the author hardraysnight
    so easy to say so hard to mean

    sorry is one of most overused and inappropriately used words in the english language

    sorry means many things to many people
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  • Profile picture of the author John Durham
    Yes, because I know its appropriate and they deserve it, if Im sorry and was wrong.

    Originally Posted by MaxBounty View Post

    I don't have a problem saying "I'm sorry".

    Apologizing doesn't cost me anything and my relationships are more valuable to me than my ego.
    Precisely. Thanks.
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  • Profile picture of the author dremy154
    Agreed. Wrong is wrong. I have extensive experience with the type of person that can't/won't apologize for any wrong doing on their part. It develops a very taxing dynamic in that relationship.....

    How about this though? Can, would, or have you been able to be the bigger person and say "I'm sorry" when it's the other person that was wrong, and you know it, but you are just being the bigger person trying to move on from the issue? Obviously this is a personal choice, and would also depend on the severity of the issue at hand.

    Just curious....
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  • Profile picture of the author carolinesmith09
    For me, it s not easy to say sorry because I can feel the shame and guilt for what I have done. But I try not to be stubborn and I usually admit my mistakes after.
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