Sorry?

Does anyone really mean it when they say “I’m sorry”? Obviously, there are the instances when an apology is perfectly appropriate – when you’ve bumped into someone in an elevator; when you are running late for an appointment; or when you are trying to comfort someone grieving the loss of a friend or family member. But for the most part, I can’t stand hearing “I’m sorry”. I consider most apologies hollow words that roll off the tongue without thought. It’s far too easy to wrong someone, and then think that everything is rosey just because the act warranting the apology is followed by an "I'm sorry". I don't want to hear it. Because the truth is so few apologies are genuine, that most are meaningless.

We have become a society where it is perfectly acceptable to act in any inconsiderate, rude, disrespectful, illegal, immoral, or uncivilized manner we want with the expectation that an apology will simply wipe the slate clean of hurt or disappointment. Maintain your civility toward me, treat me with the respect I deserve, and don't take advantage of my good nature, and there will be no need to say "I’m sorry". Throwing around blanket apologies all the time just doesn’t cut it for me. Words and actions cannot be undone, and the human brain is not equipped with a rewind/erase button. Be true to yourself and those around you in word and in deed and there will be no need to walk around apologizing all the time.