Eh?

[glockgal]

I'm Sorry
I've felt there are two categories of 'I'm sorry' which many people (including me!) have used:

TYPE 1: the true apology, where the apologist is genuinely interested in changing their actions and/or perspectives. They are generally willing to listen, to learn, to progress, to practice further conscientious behaviour.

TYPE 2: the false

Comments

[glockgal]

But that means you are sorry you did X BECAUSE it hurt them, rather than being sorry that you did X.

I think excusing Type 2 really depends on what X is. In situations where the Offended is trying to demonstrate a point/thought/concept/idea/opinion and apologist uses Type 2, it only serves to frustrate the Offended because it's like' The Offended isn't looking for your pity (or your pity-party), they are looking for understanding, or at least a willingness to understand.

However, I can see situations where Type 2 apologies can be done in a 'for your own good'...like. A very mild example: a parent making a child do their homework even if the kid doesn't want to. The parent can feel bad for the child's agony over fractions, but not sorry for making them do their homework.

Or something? Is that what you're getting at?

though they may have only realized they ought not to do X upon seeing how it hurt someone

Which, imo, is one of the best ways to learn. We need people pointing out that 'hey that behaviour might not be appropriate', or else we'd go around thinking we were 100% perfect. Which would be ludicrous, lol.