if you know me, you know that i can be, will be, and always am incredibly stubborn. and if you know me and you’ve ever had a fight with me, specifically a fight in which i am, probably as a result of my being so stubborn, the antagonist, you know that my stubbornness is reflected through my arduous loathing of apologies. i’d rather mix a cd, or send a cute text message, or bake cookies and then decorate them, too. and if, for some reason, i am in a position to be hearing an apology, i’d much rather the other guy broke out the mp3’s or the cell phone or the chocolate chips and frosting, too.
what does apologizing do anyway? it doesn’t undo anything. the concept of the apology is all about forgiveness and understanding. okay, maybe talking things through can be enlightening, but can also be a very hard thing to do!
i’m a fan of secret code apologies. you know, sometimes you can replace actual official apologies with other polite phrases. “thank you” and “you’re welcome,” accompanied by an allusive look and an eloquent pause, are good examples. the other person has to get the secret code or it doesn’t work. but when it does work, everyone is aware of the mutual forgiveness and understanding, and it’s much less messy.
speaking of manners, and things people with good manners say, you know how you can thank someone? thank, it’s a verb. when you say “thank you,” that’s thanking someone. so, what is it called when that someone says “you’re welcome?” welcome is a verb, but not in this context. are you “you’re welcoming” them? i think, probably, no.
quote of the day: “i don’t get many things right the first time, in fact, a am told that a lot. now i know all the wrong turns, the stumbles and falls, brought me here.” – ben folds
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