Wednesday, December 24, 2014

Ten Things You Might Not Know About Apologies-- Part 3: "If", "Autopilot" and "Surgical" Apologies

4.  In 1934, Japanese EMPEROR HIROHITO was visiting the city of Kiryu when his entourage was directed on the wrong route.  The mistake meant people along the route weren't properly dressed, and he arrived at his destination before the reception committee was ready for him.

About a week later, all of Kiryu's 65,000 residents faced the southeast to the palace in Tokyo and observed a minute of silent prayer to express their apologies.

5.  The art of PUBLIC APOLOGY includes the "IF" apology (I'm sorry if you were offended") and the autopilot apology ("mistakes were made").

Then there is the "surgical apology" like George W. Bush had in Nashville while campaigning.  An open mike caught him telling running mate Dick Cheney that New York Times reporter Adam Clymer was a "major league (expletive.)

he later apologized saying, "I regret that a private comment I made to the vice presidential candidate made it through the public airways."  But, he didn't express regret for saying it and he didn't apologize to Clymer.

Or, how to apologize and not really mean it.  Or, how to apologize for getting caught.

Mighty Slick One, Prez.  --Cooter

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