My latest at PJMedia, in case you missed it while I was away:
Here’s the key:
The fellow I’d accidentally dissed didn’t accept my apology immediately. It took him a while to mellow out. For all I know, he took to the wider web and called me a moron.
However, I let it go. I’d done my part.
You can’t control another person’s reaction to your reaction.
So if you’re the one at fault, say you’re sorry right away. (I know: it sucks.)
No excuses (except, maybe, “Need more coffee!” which, as long as it’s typed before 11 a.m., generates a modicum of sympathy.)
When appropriate, ask what you can do to make things right — then promptly shut up.
Don’t expect an award or acknowledgement of your magnanimity.
After all, that wouldn’t be very magnanimous, would it?
