Words, such as "I'm sorry", "It's my fault", "I will do my best, taking a lesson from your advice", are frequently used at inspections of government offices and hearings. However, these words just look like formal responses to avoid the uncomfortable moment at that time without any meanings.
In our society, high-ranking officials or executives apologize with their heads bowed quite often. Although they don't keep repeating "I don't know" or "I don't remember", or apologize, those who hear the words feel upset because they sound insincere. Likewise, words of apology which are overused at inspections of government offices and hearings sound faithless.
Apologies are valued when coming from the heart and being accompanied by a change of behavior. These days, people say "sorry" too easily. They delude themselves that they can eliminate the problems just by saying "sorry." However, it leaves plenty of room for causing the same problems.
Golfer Tiger Woods's sex scandals aroused much criticism, and he appeared back in public view after three months in hiding. He finally opened his lips and apologized, "I was having an affair. I really regret it, and I'm sorry to evoke criticism." After his apology, other sex scandals which also had been covered up were disclosed. After all, his insincere apology made his fans disappointed, and he was disgraced to rank in the top 10 most hated people in the sporting world in the American business magazine Forbes.
The truth and the value of apologies disappear when the words are overused. I worry that the words somethimes will not be accepted by those who were hurt. People should say "sorry" when their apologies come from the bottom of their hearts.
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