Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 3: Part: Do the prep work
• Method 2 of 3: Part: Apologizing to a Friend
• Method 3 of 3: Part: How else to apologize to a friend
• Tips
• Warnings

Apologizing to a friend is perhaps even more difficult than just realizing that you were wrong. To truly apologize to a friend, you need to be sincere, admit your mistakes, and let your friend know that he means a lot to you. It sounds much simpler than it actually is, but if you still shove pride for a moment in ... away and just do everything as described in this article, then the conflict will soon be settled by itself!

Steps

Method 1 of 3: Part: Do the prep work

1. 1 Apologize personally if you can. Of course, if you live far from each other, then even an apology card or a small gift will help make amends for the incident. If you and your friend do not live in different parts of the country, then it would be best to apologize in person, and nothing elseso as not to be considered a coward. Believe me, there is nothing better for a sincere and honest apology than a face-to-face and frank conversation.
   • Again, if your friend lives very far away, you will have to find another way to apologize.
2. 2 Choose the right time. And for this you need to think about why there was a need to apologize at all. Because of something not very serious - for example, you promised to come to a friend's party, but did not come? Or does the conflict arise from a much more serious reason, say, due to the fact that you suddenly decided to take away his girlfriend from a friend? If the problem is not very serious, then you need to act quickly and try to apologize as soon as you and your friend have a free minute. If everything is much more serious, and the friend first needs to come to his senses, cool down, boil over, then it makes sense to wait a while, maybe even a few months.
   • You should know your friend well: is he quick-witted or vindictive?
   • If you know that this or that week for your friend will be especially difficult and stressful, then it is better to postpone the moment of reconciliation a little, even if you are already just dying to finally say the cherished “Forgive me, I was wrong”.
3. 3 Think about what you say. You don't have to write everything down - well, unless you're really worried about an apology. Nevertheless, you should have a general idea of ​​what you will say - you do not want to apologize, and only then, after returning home, suddenly remember that you forgot to apologize for something very important? But it can be even worse, especially if you suddenly say something wrong again.The apology should come from the heart, of course, but it doesn't hurt to have a more or less clear plan in your hands. Here's what you need to think about (for more details):
   • Taking full responsibility for your actions.
   • Apologize for the feelings the other person felt.
   • Recognize the values ​​of your friendship.
   • Promise to change and do something good in the future.
4. 4 Take the first step when necessary. Remember the immortal “yesterday was early, tomorrow will be late”? Everything is the same here. If you need to apologize to a friend, then you don't have to sit like an owl and wait for an offended or even offended comrade to do everything for you. If it did happen, and it was a friend who came up to you to discuss what happened, and not vice versa, then be sure - you can put an end to your reputation as a “good friend”. So strike while the iron is hot (but again, when your friend has already cooled down)! If you want your apology to be accepted, be sure to apologize as soon as possible at the right time.

Method 2 of 3: Part: Apologizing to a Friend

1. 1 Take full responsibility. If you really want to apologize, you will have to take full responsibility for what and what your friend went through through your fault. If you are sure that you have nothing to apologize for, if you are angry with a friend or think that he is just pretending to be the most offended person in the world, then it is better not even to try to apologize. An apology that doesn't come from the heart is slag. If you think that you should not apologize, but discuss the problem, discuss it. But if you are ready to take full responsibility, then you have to admit that somewhere you are grossly mistaken.
   • Say something like, “I know you were offended when I missed your birthday. I know it meant a lot to you. "
   • You can also say something like, “I'm sorry I kissed the guy you're looking at. Well, something rolled over. But I'm really ashamed! No, really, I won't be like that anymore. Our friendship is more important to me. "
   • And no excuses for yourself! You don't have to say, for example, “Sorry I missed your birthday, but... ”If you want to make excuses for what you have done, then you are not apologizing.
2. 2 Say that you are sorry and apologize. This is the most important part. So check to see how deeply in the f ... hurt pride can get in the way, and say something like, "Please excuse me." And let it be clear from your apology that to you sorry that you you regret the deed committed in relation to a friend. It can be difficult, it can even be very difficult, so take a deep breath, look your friend right in the eyes, maybe even put your hand on their shoulder, and then ask them to accept your apology.
   • Don't say anything like “I'm sorry if are you offended ... "or" I'm sorry that you I was so upset ... ”Such phrases are not an apology, this is an attempt to blame a friend for everything, but to get out of the situation in all white.
   • Emotions in the moment of apology is good, but do not overdo it so as not to start portraying the victim, and the friend does not begin to regret you.
3. 3 Apologize for the feelings your friend felt. Having accepted responsibility for everything that was done and apologized, it's time to admit that you hurt your friend's feelings and understand how he had to. So, your friend will see that you have considered the situation from all points of view, and now you are really ashamed of your own actions and words.
   • Say something like, “I can't even imagine how disappointing I was when I didn't come to your birthday party. You've been planning the party for six months now and you wanted everything to be perfect. "
   • Or “I know that it hurt you when I kissed Vanya Erokhin. I know you've been suffering from it for six months already, but I took it, and I broke your heart ... "
4. 4 Recognize the value of your friendship. Show your friend that friendship is more important to you than anything else, and that you know you will have to work on priorities in the future. Your friend should see that the action you did was not worth it, and that you clearly would like to start from scratch.
   • Say, for example, “I missed your birthday because my nephew begged for help with choosing a tie for prom. He would have done it himself! I shouldn't have gone with him. I promised you that I would come, but the nephew could wait ... "
   • Say, for example, “Oh, yes, I don’t believe anymore that I could do this with Vanka! Yes, he is no one for me to call! And you are my friend! Our friendship is more important to me than anyone else! ”
5. 5 Promise you will change. After all, you don’t want your friend to think that you’ll apologize now and then hurt his feelings again? Your friend should understand that you have thought about the future and do not want to step on the same rake over and over again. Otherwise ... how long do you think your friendship will last?
   • Say, for example, “I won't let you down again, bro. If I said that I would do - I will, at least a nosebleed. I give the floor. "
   • Say, for example, “Oh, yes, now I will not even look towards those on whom you will lay eyes! I know how much a relationship means to you, friend! I will not interfere. "
6. 6 Suggest something to completely make amends. Let's say right away that this is not an apology and an apology is not a substitute. This is just the icing on the cake, nothing more, and you need to resort to this only when you are really ready to forgive. However, this step will show your friend that you want to continue being friends and that you want them to feel better at last. So wrinkle your mind and think of something to cheer up your comrade.
   • Say, for example, “Well, for a beer? I am treating. "
   • Say, for example, “Oh, listen, I promise to show you for ages how they hold a brush in their hands! Let's work out on Sunday? ”
7. 7 Ask to forgive you. So, you have said almost everything that needs to be said. What's left? The great "Will you forgive me?" Luckily, your friend has now seen how much friendship means to you and will forgive you. There is already time for friendly hugs, happy smiles, tears in the corners of the eyes and sighs of relief. If your friend hasn't forgiven you ... maybe he just needs a little more time to digest the situation. And you ... well, you at least tried.
   • If you've really seriously offended your friend, you might say something like, "Can you forgive me?"

Method 3 of 3: Part: How else to apologize to a friend

1. 1 Write a letter of apology. A conciliatory apology letter is a classic of the genre. Let the letter say that you are sorry, but remember that this does not change the need for a face-to-face conversation. Nevertheless, if you live far from each other, or if you only write and manage to clearly express your thoughts, then this is quite an option.
   • Don't trust regular mail? Send an email!
2. 2 Send a bouquet of flowers. This is a more dramatic step, but it also has a place to be. A small apology card should be sent along with the bouquet. Of course, not everyone can be penetrated with flowers, and in some cases this can only worsen everything.
3. 3 Apologize to a friend over the phone. If you live far from each other, the best thing to do is to apologize during the phone call. Just dial a friend's number, and then proceed as you would in a face-to-face meeting. Of course, this can be more difficult, because you will not be able to see your friend's face and understand how he is feeling right now.
4. 4 Don't apologize via SMS or social media. If you are truly ashamed of an act, then you will not be able to apologize via SMS or on a social network. It looks like a favor, it is not impressive at all. Yes, calling a friend or meeting with him and discussing everything is more difficult - but does something worthwhile ever come easily?

Tips

• Don't hide your emotions.
• Don't try to build bridges the day after the incident. Everyone needs time to heal their wounds.
• Write a small letter to a friend in which you admit that you are wrong.
• Write for yourself a list of your mistakes and wrongdoings.
• Remind yourself of all the good things that connect you to your friend.
• If possible, give your friend a gift.

Warnings

• Do not expect that you just take it and make up. Everything takes time.
• Words, like sentences of peace, are cheap. Believe me, they will remember your deed. So fewer words, more deeds!