Let’s be honest, apologies are hard. Not because we don’t make mistakes (if anything, we’re experts at those) but because saying “I’m sorry” is a delicate art.

There are social protocols, hidden traps and emotional minefields lurking in every syllable. With the holidays quickly approaching, many of us will find ourselves stepping into minefields during parties, family gatherings and social affairs that may require us to apologize for a not-so nice (perhaps unintentional) thoughtless remark.

So, for those who find themselves routinely stepping on toes (sometimes literally), below is a guide to the etiquette of an apology. Think of it as your user manual for surviving awkward moments with grace -- or at least with less embarrassment than usual.

Step 1: The timing

Timing is everything. Ap

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