many more people want you to surrender to them than it is good for you to surrender to, and the world is full of people who will demand your apology (and make it seem socially mandatory) for things you do not or should not regret.
This was my first thought, too. I’m all in favor of the argument against weasel apologies, but sometimes the reason you’re giving a weasel apology is that, by your own lights, you didn’t do anything wrong.
Weasel apologies are never appropriate, but sometimes a sincere one also isn’t appropriate. Sometimes the appropriate response is “No, I did the right thing here. Sorry, but no social surrender will be forthcoming.” You’ll have to accept the probable social consequences, of course, but that’s part of the price of integrity.
This was my first thought, too. I’m all in favor of the argument against weasel apologies, but sometimes the reason you’re giving a weasel apology is that, by your own lights, you didn’t do anything wrong.
Weasel apologies are never appropriate, but sometimes a sincere one also isn’t appropriate. Sometimes the appropriate response is “No, I did the right thing here. Sorry, but no social surrender will be forthcoming.” You’ll have to accept the probable social consequences, of course, but that’s part of the price of integrity.