cross-posted from: https://linux.community/post/3389091
or to keep the peace, maybe you think it’s not a big deal but your partner, friend, coworker, parent feels otherwise.
Do you apologize just to validate him?
I always though if I don’t feel bad about it, fuck it, I’m not apologizing, deal with it. It’s not my fault you’re so thin skinned. Grow up.
Now I’m thinking I should be more empathetic and apologize, just to make the aggravated person feel validated, even though I don’t feel bad (or that bad).
This gets more complicated because many times coworkers feel offended because I don’t share my personal life with them or I’m so concentrated on my job that I don’t notice them. Do I apologize for not noticing them?
i do that a lot, with customer communication (especially via mail but also on the phone). i makes the other person feel seen, they are usually in a better mood afterwards and more likely to do business with us again, cost me nothing, is a good practice to lie (since it’s not actually my/our fault).
would be very careful though about doing it in a relationship, would probably only do it, if i really really cared for the other person and see the situation itself as sorted out and 100% forgave them, otherwise such falsehood might lead to trouble.