Th: How To Apologize - Blog Posts
"He should," John agreed. What he should say, John wasn't going to get into that. Especially only knowing this girl's side of the story. "And he probably will. That's what a good relationship is built on, right? Good communication?" Or not. Or maybe this was a rocky one. He didn't know.
"I think it'll go better than a letter that says 'Sorry you're so annoying'," he grinned. "There's no telling what she'll say or do, really. Hopefully she takes time to process and consider your words. She might not get over it right away, and she might not even tell your boyfriend. But looking like the bigger person is gonna benefit you more in the long run. Because if you keep trying to be the bigger person and all she does is continue to be shady and annoying, who's going to look worse to your boyfriend, right?"
@pepper-doyle
How To Apologize | Open
"Yeah, words can be difficult," he nodded along, already coming up with a few ways she could start her letter.
His eyebrows rose and he did his best to stifle his excitement. Oh, this was a good story, this was a fun time. "What a bitch, that's crazy!" John said like they'd been friends for years. He didn't even know her name yet. "Of course he did, what is it with guys doing that?" he shook his head.
"You're apologizing to her, yes? Because don't apologize to him--he needs to apologize to you," he said.
"For her, I would definitely start with something like, 'I need to address my actions the other day.' Don't start it with sorry because she won't listen to anything you have to say after that. Go over what you did, like, 'as you know, I got carried away and let my emotions get the better of me', because that sounds nicer than saying 'you pissed me off.' Follow it up with something like, 'that was immature and uncouth of me.' Then offer your 'sincerest apologies' and say that it was wrong of you to lash out and you'll do better in the future." he shrugged. "It's annoying but you're not technically admitting you were in the wrong or anything, and she gets to hear you say sorry. It's a win-win. And an extra win if your boyfriend hears about how kind and mature you were for writing an apology letter."
@pepper-doyle
How To Apologize | Open
Wonderful, he loved that she was willing to just talking about it.
John did his damn best to keep a straight face but that was a better story than he could've expected. It had everything, drama, relationships, violence.
"I mean, you feel justified in it? I'm just guessing since you called her annoying and say that you should probably say something to her. To be clear, you're right, you probably should, at least to look good for your boyfriend." He thought for a moment. What do you say to someone who you jumped and attacked because they were friends with your boyfriend...
"Did she fight back at all, or did she come away looking completely like a victim?" he asked taking a casual sip of tea. "Because that'll change how you should frame this apology." And he just wanted to know. "And did your boyfriend see any of this? Does he know this happened?"
@pepper-doyle
How To Apologize | Open
Something John had always been good at was listening to conversations that didn't concern him. He loved some gossip, he loved some drama, and as soon as he heard the woman talking to herself trying to work something out, he was hooked and invested and needed the whole story. Because to hear 'in my defense ya're kinda annoyin'' was the best response for an apology he'd ever heard and was immediately obsessed.
And how lucky he was to get offered a seat at her table as he walked nearer. John happily sat with his tea, leaning an elbow on the table. "Thanks for the seat. Couldn't help but hear some of that rambling--sounds like you've got a lot on your mind. Sometimes it's tricky to find the right words to say to someone you don't like," he said, "but, lucky for you, it's my job to make people like other people, so maybe I could help ya out?" He glanced at her page and saw more scratches than words on it--definitely seemed like she could use some help.
"So, what happened, if you don't mind my asking?" It must've been something good if she had to write an apology letter.
@pepper-doyle