What does it mean when a sincere apology is ignored?

Question

A heartfelt apology for a minor wrongdoing (being moody) and no reply. Is it best to not apologize at all?

Answer 1

It means that either they arnt a very forgiving person and hold grudges, or that maybe even though it was a minor wrongdoing in your eyes, it wasnt to them. You should apologize anyway but if they won't accept there is nothing you can do but move on from it. Youre the better person for at least trying.

Answer 2

It may or may not mean anything. If you have offered such an apology, I think you've done what you need to do. You can't affect how the other person will accept your apology. A few weeks ago, I sincerely apologized to another person for something that I sort of did. (He behaved much worse than I did, but I could have behaved a bit better.) He all but ignored me. So I just had to say that I did what I could, and let God deal with it.



A couple days later, he gave me a profuse apology for his behavior. It won't always work out like that, but you can only do what you can do. As kids say, "You may be the boss of you, but you're not the boss of him."

Answer 3

I believe that if you feel you have done something that you felt you needed to apologize, it was the right thing to do.



If the other person is ignoring your apology, maybe they are thinking it over. It is their problem and maybe they are moody too.



How did you apologize? Over the Internet? Phone message? If you did either of those, it is possible they haven't gotten the message yet. It could be possible that this person likes to hold grudges and wants you to stew another day.



Either way, you have apologized, and it is up to that person to accept it or not. If that person cannot accept it, it is that persons problem and you can't let yourself have a lot of anxiety over it. You have done all you can do. You shouldn't have to apologize over and over either. Your sincere apology was enough. If you see this person again, you can do it in person just to make sure they got it and then leave it at that. Smile and be polite if they do not want to be friends, you can just be polite to them.



Best wishes to you and this other person.

Answer 4

Cultured people do apologize for disdemeanors. Uneducated, ignorant and uncultrured people do not know.

But an apology asked with no reply does not follow not acceptance but rather overcome with emotions obscurring the response of acceptance. Often times actions of a person is always accompanied by an implied or express answer of accepting apologies. MOST important, you know how to HUMBLE YOURSELF by asking an apology.

Answer 5

It may mean that the person is either still upset about the situation or that it wasn't that big of a deal. In either way, its best if you ask the person for the feelings about the situation. It's the only way you'll be really sure of what the person feels.And no, although its a lot easier to forget about apologizing altogether, it doesn't make it right. Its always best to apologize, it means you realize your mistake and that you respect the other person.

Answer 6

I'll agree with the last 2 I saw. Maybe they feel your apology isn't so sincere, or is more of a trap than genuwine. They could be seeing your 'minor' (being moody)-ness as you actually trying to take advantage of them and the relationship or their nature (all that assuming you've put yourself in a position to apologize for the same mess before). Or maybe they are just being a mule (stubborn-@ss). Anyway, something's gotta give.

Answer 7

It could be that the person who's feelings you hurt by being moody is overly sensitive. Just give him/her some time. I think you did the right thing by apologizing. If that doesn't work. Forget about it and move on.

Answer 8

No, if you are wrong you should go out on a limb and apologize. Life situations do not always end w/ a happy/ resolved situation. But at least you know that you did the right thing by apologizing and admitting that you were wrong.

Answer 9

ONE sincere, heartfelt apology is enough... especially for just not having a good day (being moody). Jeeeez, it's not like you killed anyone! Don't beg them. Just give it a few days ... if they're still holding a grudge, than let it go. The ball will be in their court. They'll come to their senses...

Answer 10

Perhaps they don't know that you are to accept an apology verbally, I know plenty of people who didn't know that. It is never best to not apologize, if you gave a heartfelt apology you thought about it and thought the other person deserved that apology. YOU can only be responsible for YOUR actions...sounds like you're very decent...spread the word!

Answer 11

I think an apology should be accepted if it is heartfelt.Especially if you really care about the person. Do continue to apologize, as long as you mean it, and try to not do whatever you were sorry for again.

Answer 12

Apologies do not have to be accepted. If it was so heartfelt then why are you still feeling guilty? If you are sincere, make an honest effort to do better in the future.

Answer 13

It is always best to apologize - doesn't depend on the other person. If the other person doesn't accept your apology. leave it alone. Don't apologize over and over again.

On the other hand, perhaps the other person is very hurt. It might be good to really acknowlege the hurt the other person is feeling. It is important in an apology to put oneself in the other person's shoes.

Answer 14

Sooooo, he eavesdrops, jumps to conclusions devoid of even speaking to you approximately it first, judges your ethical character, and verbally abuses you? no longer a marvelous chum THERE! Ummmm, as to why he's one in each of those d!ck, nicely, he of course has extreme themes over some thing, which might in all risk take some expert counseling to handle correct. do no longer even freaking pass there! no rely if or no longer the apology became truthful is incredibly irrelevant as this abusive cycle will ensue returned.

Answer 15

For whatever reason, the person felt the apology wasn't enough. Either they are creating drama or trying to avoid it. Either way, just give them time. They may come around.

Answer 16

They are still angry. Just because an apology is given, it does not automatically have to be accepted.



You did your part to make things right.



Let it pass. Sometimes apologies need to sink in.



No, Apologize if you did indeed do something wrong.



Apologies sometimes take longer to get through thick skulls.

Answer 17

Just leave them to cool off for a bit and then invite them out to coffee.



BTW You aren't friends with someone on here are you. because they asked a question about a friend who apologized to them for a wrongdoing and they weren't sure what to say back because they still felt hurt?...just wondering...spooky!

Answer 18

please, you didnt email your apology did you? If you have done something that you need to make a sincere apology for, it requires a one on one display of wanting to resolve what you did.



Dont email.

Dont yell it across the room.

Dont send someone else to do your grown up work.



Either they are really angry at you, or they think you need to work on it more.

Answer 19

Best to apologize, at least you know that you did the right thing and can hold your head up high.



You are a better person for it!

Answer 20

Could be possible the other party is still fuming, and not ready to forgive, or possiblt they are moody themselves? Or possibly you have been moody quite often and the apology is meaningless.

Answer 21

It means the recipient is ticked .... NO, it is not best to not apologize at all. It's best not to put ones self in a position to owe an apology.

Answer 22

No. Don't base your good manners on another's reaction, or lack of reaction, to them. Always do what is right. What another does, or doesn't do, reflects on them, not you. A humble apology should be met with equally gracious acceptance. If a person doesn't do that, they have a problem, not you.

Answer 23

You apologized once and that is enough. My boss once told me and it has stuck with me, "never apologize for something you believe in. "

We all get in moods and friends should accept that and should have accepted your apology. Anyway, they will get over it and all will be good again.

Answer 24

one of two things ..



1) They are still too hurt to forgive yet ... give it time



2) They don't trust your appology. They think you will do that same thing agian and that the appology is from "political correctness" and in the same situation, you will show you have not changed the frustrating behaviour ... give it time and if you don't repeat it after a similar circumstance, forgiveness will come.

Answer 25

No. The apology was correct. The fact that it was ignored was not your fault, nor is it your problem. You did the right thing.

Answer 26

This evening I apoligzed to a barista at a local coffee shop for asking her out when I knew full well that she has a boyfriend--and, anyway, she's really cute. She smiled and accepted. I felt better--even happy.

Answer 27

apologize and leave it at that. you've done your part. now it's up to the other party whether to forgive you or not. give them time to think 'bout it and decide.

Answer 28

Sometimes people just don't know how to take a sincerety like that. The world has too few people who apologise so it's not a familiar thing. Don't take it too badly. Just know you did the right thing. That's what counts.

Answer 29

If it is ignored then it is not accepted, the apology.

Answer 30

I usually say "Excuse me I just apologized! answer me!" it works! lol

Answer 31

perhaps what you think is a minor wrong doing, is so annoying to someone else, they are fed up with you?

Answer 32

I find it is best not to, for they will never forget and never forgive

Answer 33

not acceped but hell time will cure that and a cheese cake never hurt anyone (cherri is best )

Answer 34

the other person probably has more on their mind and could be stressed out about something else.



DON'T WORRY ABOUT IT!

Answer 35

It reveals more about them than you, move on from it.

Answer 36

I'll accept it for him/her.......thank you...your forgiven...next.

Answer 37

you really must have over stepped badly!