DRAMA FREE THURSDAY (Quick Hit)
When you "apologize" this way...you ain't apologizing. In fact, you are blaming the person who took offense at what you did/said. This is not good behavior.
"If you were offended" a.) implies that the person shouldn't have been offended in the first place. b.) ignores the fact that if you are issuing an apology, you're probably doing it for damage control because someone was offended. Rendering that whole word "if" kinda moot.
What I'm trying to say here is that an apology consists of an "I'm sorry. It's my fault. How do I make it right?" And then you proceed to go out and do that. As long as it's reasonable. Telling someone to go "kill themselves" after receiving a sincere apology like this...not good either. BTW, thanks go to the late Randy Pausch who defined an apology in his Last Lecture series.
Yes, there are exceptions. There always are, but most of the time, this response is about "saving face" and it really doesn't save any. Sometimes falling on your sword is best.
Just sayin'.
Peace,
- O. (aka popfiend)