DEAR ABBY: When one person owes another person an apology, does it count as a legitimate apology if the word "but" is tacked on at the end? I think adding "but" takes away from the admission of fault and places the blame back on the person owed the apology. Am I right? -- WAITING FOR AN APOLOGY
DEAR WAITING: Yes, you are. When someone adds "but" at the end of an apology, he or she is trying to justify whatever the offense was. And that's not a true apology.