Apology 101

A couple of weeks ago, my husband and I had the wonderful opportunity to install our kitchen appliances together. I hate stuff like this. Hanging pictures or window treatments is bad enough. Full-fledged do-it-yourself projects test my patience.

So here's the scene - I am in read-the-instructions mode, while my husband is under the dishwasher in I-know-how-to-do-this mode. Sound familiar?

So I, in my instruction-reading glory, began explaining what needed to be done. At this point, my husband said, "Please don't talk to me in that belittling tone."

Freeze frame here.

Now, while sorting through the reactionary voices in my head, I realize that I have several options:

1. I could deny that I was belittling.
2. I could accuse him of misunderstanding me.
3. I could try to clarify that I didn't mean to be belittling.
4. I could accept the fact that I sounded belittling and apologize sincerely.

We always have a choice to make. I have used each of these options in different situations over the years we've been married. I've learned which is easiest and produces the best long-term results. Although, knowing this, I still don't always make the best choice.

My advice about apologizing, get over yourself and just do it!

I'll leave my reaction this time to your imagination. ;)