HE SAYS YOU SAY
“It’s okay. Give me a call next
time, all right?”“I’m sorry that I was late.... I
was really inconsiderate.”
“Apology accepted.... It
wasn’t so bad. We were both
upset. I appreciate that you
thought about it.”“I’m sorry about the things I
said yesterday.... I thought
about it and realized that I was
really overreactive...”
“It’s fine; I just didn’t know
what had happened.” At this
point she is receptive to his.”
explanation.“I’m sorry I didn’t call you
back sooner.... You are right;
I was really insensitive“It’s all right. You owe me one.
Next time let’s go to the sym-
phony.”“I’m sorry that I forgot to get
the tickets.... It was really
selfish of me.”
“It’s no big deal, but it does
feel good to know that you
didn’t mean to do it. I’m sure
you’ll make it up to me” (said
with a smile).“I’m sorry you felt excluded at
the party.... I was inconsiderate,
it was really mean.”“Thanks, you really didn’t
have to say that. I appreciate
that you were trying to under-
stand.”“I am really sorry about the
things I said. I was really being
defensive.”When a woman expresses her forgiveness with any of the
above phrases, it frees a man from becoming defensive and
allows him to be more responsible and considerate of her needs.
These are some examples of how a man responds to a woman’s
forgiveness:
124 / JOHN GRAY, PH.D.