AIBU to think I respect someone more if they apologise, rather than think they’re weak

[Foaltime]

When someone apologises, do you think more or less of them? This is only for genuine apologies, not lip service ones. Some people think it shows weakness. I lose respect fast for people who can’t admit when they’re wrong, whether that’s to me or others. If there’s a power imbalance, whether that’s work, parent and child or a teacher and pupil, the power imbalance will still be there if an apology is given. Respect dwindles otherwise as how can a person respect someone who stands by poor behaviour or who believes they are infallible? There will be exceptions where it might be unsafe to e.g. prisons.

YABU - apologies and/or admitting mistakes or wrongdoing is weak
YANBU - inability to apologise and/or admit mistakes or wrongdoing is weak

I can’t see the voting buttons, but I think a lot less of someone when they’re unable to apologise. I consider them untrustworthy.

I find people who can’t admit they’re wrong or take accountability to be utterly pathetic. It smacks of poor self awareness and an inability to learn. It’s one of my pet hates and I give people like this a wide berth.

YANBU. People who can't apologise tell you so much about themselves.

Absolutely yes, unless it's one of those people who will do something awful, apologise but then carry on doing the same awful thing over and over again.

I've always valued personal growth over pure stubbornness.

So yes, if someone genuinely apologises I respect them more than if they refuse to see the issue.

I agree. There’s no point in continuing any kind of relationship with someone who can’t apologise when they are wrong. If a person can apologise and hold themselves accountable, and importantly learn from it, then they have my respect and trust.

my sister lied about me to cover up something she did. She was totally found out with solid proof. But instead of just apologising and setting things straight she’s just cut us all off. I’d of accepted the apology as I know she was struggling at the time but she tried to throw me under the bus, then hurt me further by not being sorry for it and throwing our relationship away.

As the song says "sorry is the hardest word". If it's truly meant anyway.

I'd far rather someone apologies than is arrogant and refuses to accept they were wrong, refuses to learn from their mistake, etc. I don't think someone who apologies is weak at all - I think the opposite, that they're strong enough to apologise and accept responsibility.

I have no respect for anyone who pays lip service to an apology.

Someone once behaved shittily towards me, and I remonstrated with her. Then she said "I can only apologise" and stalked off. I wish I'd been quicker off the mark and said "Well, go on then".

You haven’t added a poll, but surely no one but the most obtuse person would think that a sincere apology was a sign of ‘weakness’?

Sorry about the poll. Last time I did one the poll just appeared automatically.

Definitely. When I was younger I never apologised unless forced to (and then it was usually sarcastic) but I make a point of doing it now. Especially to my DC if I’ve said or done anything out of order. It’s worked and they apologise to me if they do the same. Off their own back without being asked. I find parenting REALLY hard but this is one thing that I know I’ve got right. I also ask my husband to as well as he has a tendency to never admit to being wrong but he has seen the benefits when the DC own up to their mistakes and apologise.
I find I am well respected and trusted at work as well as a result. Those that try and lay blame on others or simply don’t say anything when they’ve done something for which they need to apologise just don’t earn the same respect imo.

I will always apologise if I'm wrong/ make a mistake but I don't know if i really mean it. I don't think deeply about it