Ways To Apologize

What are the best ways to apologize after you’ve done something stupid? A question that has baffled human kind for eons, and for which there still isn’t a simple answer. Let’s face it, one day or another each of us will have to apologize for something we did or didn’t do, so it’s best to be prepared. No kind of apology can guarantee complete success, but sometimes if you just know to say the right things, you can get off easier.

So here they are. One or the other would definitely fit your situation. Pick the one you think will do wonders for you.

· Be sincere. Never try to deny something you know you did. It will catch up with you sooner or later and then, it will probably be too late for you to do anything about it. So try a preemptive strike; come clean from the beginning and most people would appreciate the sincerity and the fact that you didn’t want to hide anything from them with a lie, and will most likely forgive you. It’s not a full proof plan but in most cases this is one of the best ways to apologize.

· Try to spread the blame around to someone else. If you’ve been caught red handed, than you’d better start thinking of who to blame. One very easy way to apologize is to make yourself a victim out of everything that happened, by blaming others. Make factors that were out of your control the primary culprit. After that try making a bad guy out of somebody who would fit the profile best. If he’s the bully who by some form of manipulation made you do something bad or stupid, than you would at least get some sympathy points which can very easily be exchanged into an all out forgiveness, at your local store.

· Offer absurd ideas for self-flagellation. This one is very popular. When you feel that the person you wronged is getting more and more upset, just start giving them a glimpse of the full extent of your groveling. At this point it’s very useful to become hysterical and to start bluffing about the extreme ways you are willing to self-flagellate just to get forgiveness. Try things like: “I’ll do anything, you name it: I’ll jump off of a bridge if you want me to!” Or the ever popular: “I’ll rip my heart out and hand it to you, if I could”, which of course you can’t.

· Do a nice gesture. Nothing says you’re sorry like a strategically placed gift. If you want to obtain forgiveness this is one of the best ways to apologize. Get him or her a gift. If you’re a guy, flowers are a must and if you’re a girl try getting your man a six-pack and see where that leads you. Of course this will not make up entirely for what you did in the first place, but it shows that person that you’re trying and that you care, and that is the most important thing.

· Flattery will get you anywhere. Never underestimate the power of flattering. Tell the person you wronged how good he or she looks today, and how the color of the jacket matches his or her eyes. It might be a bit of a cliché but people are generally vain and any compliment you give them will soften their reaction to whatever stupid thing you did. If you want forgiveness this is one of the most important ways to apologize.

· Spoil the person you want to apologize to a little. Get them something luxurious they want. Take them out for a nice dinner at a fancy restaurant; maybe even give them a surprise party.

· Put yourself in an embarrassing situation. This one is a full proof way of getting forgiveness. If you make a fool out of yourself for the benefit of the person you wronged you could probably get way with anything. Things like making them a song, even though you have no idea how to sing will work perfectly. It shows the lengths you are willing to go for them to stop being mad at you.

· Repeat I’m sorry for as long as you can. This should be your only answer to anything the person you wronged would ask you. Anything else will just get you into more trouble. After that person has calmed down a little you can start talking normally but in he first 15 minutes after you tell them what you did these words: I’m sorry should be your whole vocabulary.

So these are the most important steps to follow if you are looking for ways to apologize. Remember there is now full proof way to obtain forgiveness, but this rough guide should be helpful. And remember nothing works better than just being honest about anything you do. If you’re honest than maybe you don’t even need to know ways to apologize, because you won’t have to.

Picture- Half Chinese