Sometimes I am given great topics to write about just because I am out there living life to the fullest. I meet people from all walks of life and am continually exposed to different cultures. This is what I really love about my world.
Yesterday I received an apology, actually two from someone. As I read it and re-read it, I realized that it wasn't an apology, it was just words so that the person could get themselves out of a spot of bother. They didn't care less about the apology, but were probably advised to do so.
They used the word "sincerely" yet it was then completed with a back-handed comment highlighting that they were not apologizing for what they had done, because they quite simply think they have done nothing wrong, but apologized because it was the only way in which they can avoid a bigger disaster.
I gave it to my lawyer and a psychiatrist to make sure that I wasn't reading it wrong. I also didn't have my glasses on so I wasn't sure that I had fully got the message as it was intended. Sure enough, there is no apology. There is just words saying apology and backed by other words that are meant to make it sound more sincere yet the back handed comment showed that the person was not genuine and really isn't giving me the respect I deserve. I did no wrong - he did.
So what do you do when someone apologizes and it's not genuine?
- You walk away and forget about it - it's not your job to teach them the lesson
- You think long and hard about how it affects all parts of your life and make a decision with counsel from people you respect and trust.
Mellissah Smith is a marketing expert with more than 20 years experience. Having founded and built two successful marketing companies internationally, she is well recognized as a industry thought leader and innovator. Mellissah started her career working with technology and professional services firms, primarily in marketing, public relations and investor relations, positioning a number of successful companies to list on the various Stock Exchanges around the world. She is a writer, technology developer and entrepreneur who shares her thoughts and experiences through blogs and written articles published in various media outlets. Brag sheet: #2 marketer to follow on Twitter (2003), Top 150 Marketers to Follow (2015), Top 10 innovative marketers (2014), 60K+ followers on Twitter with 97% authentic.