Saying Sorry Doesn't Always Work
The office printer decided to mangle documents right before I was scheduled to meet a couple who’d flown in that morning to specifically see available properties. After wrestling a clean copy free, I ran out the door.
Realizing, I was going to be several minutes late to the appointment, picked up phone to notify. There's a certain awkwardness when an apology is necessary but I know the importance of doing so quickly and sincerely.
I dialed, she answered, which began a meltdown, "I’m less than 3 miles away from the first house on the list. I’m so sorry.” Silence. Then she started crying, her voice cracking with emotion. Ugh! I thought, how do I fix this?
She was stressed to the max and my lateness was just another log on her roaring fire of disappointment. “My husband’s nervously pacing the sidewalk. Today is is our one shot before flying out tomorrow!”
"Do you even want our business?” She wasn’t angry about the ten minutes today, instead she was angry about other times in life, where she waited for people who promised to show up and miserably failed, in that respect.
I pulled up to the curb, took a breath, stepped out, almost with another “sorry” but said, “Come on, let’s see this house. I’ll answer questions, you stay long as needed and I promise we’ll find something you'll love today.”
The only apology that works is the action you take, not just words spoken. I have since learned to print paperwork well ahead of time, so appointments can be adequately met and that sometimes saying 'sorry' falls short.
In order to salvage relationships, a sincere apology may be the best starting place. Asking forgiveness is not a weak act, it lends a sense of integrity and everyone is able to move forward from there. Sometimes.
This is an entry to: November 2025 Challenge - Thankfulness For Fun and Points. Many thanks to Lynn B. Friedman CRS Atlanta, GA 404-617-6375 for hosting!
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