5. I couldn’t help it/It wasn’t my fault
Does it really matter whose fault it was? Even if you couldn´t help it, that´s even more of a reason to give an apology, if only to make the other person feel better.
6. Instead of a simple apology, you say ‘I’m sorry, but…’ or ‘I’m sorry you took it that way.” Next time you´re tempted to apologize with a condition tied to it, try just saying “I´m sorry,” and sit tight. See what happens. Remember that the other person´s reaction to your apology is not a reflection on you but on how he or she feels about him or herself.
