My neighbor's apology video had 2 million views and I still can't tell if he meant it

After he let his dog run through my garden last June, he posted a 4 minute tearful apology on YouTube but then I saw him at the mailbox and he just waved like nothing happened... do you count a public apology as real if they never bring it up to your face?

3 comments

3 Comments

jessem594d ago

Yeah I feel that "never said a word to him in person" thing HARD. If someone cries on camera for millions but won't even look me in the eye at the mailbox, that's NOT a real apology. That's PERFORMANCE. Real apologies are uncomfortable and private, not a video with good lighting and a sad soundtrack. If he meant it he would have knocked on your door and said sorry with his own mouth. The whole thing is just content at that point.

daniel_cooper344d ago

That's a tough spot to be in. I once left a nasty comment on a forum thread about a car repair and then posted a public apology with a silly cat picture hoping it would blow over. Never did apologize to the guy who actually read it, though. @troyknight's story about the email apology is spot on - that's exactly the kind of thing that gets retold for years. Real apology means you own it face to face, not just for the camera.

troyknight4d ago

Buddy of mine had a coworker apologize to the whole office in an email. Never said a word to him in person. We still joke about it.