I can’t remember the name of the movie, but I remember watching a movie many years ago about the commitment, or lack thereof, in a relationship between two young people living together.
It seemed that the male in the couple had noticed that his girlfriend never said the words:
“I love you”
to him, and had always used a flippant
“luv ya”
as a reply to him whenever he had said “I love you” to her.
And in my vague recollection, I believe that this flippant reply of “luv ya” as a throw-away reply to the boyfriend’s serious announcement of his feelings, became the nucleus for the deterioration of what seemed to be a fairly agreeable cohabitation.
Have you ever known someone who….
Have you ever known someone who can never say:
“I’m sorry.”
This sort of person usually comes up with a number of reasons as to why a certain situation or certain outcome has eventuated, despite the fact that it is something that they have done or not done that has been the primary cause of that situation.
This person always seems to look to blame others rather than accept that they have erred themselves, and often, in business, when we are discussing the delivery of their product or a service, they try to belittle the customer by telling them that their expectations are too high.
They often try to make the customer accept a defect, or faulty workmanship, by saying that it will take a long time or a lot of work to fix that small issue.
Even though the issue has occurred in the first place because of an error or mistake made by that workman, or their company.
I’ve even heard people who can never say “I’m sorry” use substitute phrases such as
“My mistake”
as a replacement, when the use of “I’m sorry” would be much more powerful as a defuser of the situation.
Do you know someone like this?
Aren’t they difficult to deal with?
Their self image of their own perfection is a constant source of irritation to all of the people they deal with, and is often the cause of this person or their type, having very few long term friendships.
It’s really a narcistic trait, because to a narcissist, them giving a sincere apology is seen by them as a weakness.
When you meet someone with this personal failing, someone who cannot apologise, don’t try to change them.
Simply view your association with them as being of a finite length, and make that time frame as short as you possible can.
And move on.
Don’t give them any more business than you have to.
And certainly, don’t give them any more of your valuable time.
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Dr. David Moffet BDS FPFA CSP is a certified CX Experience coach. David works with his wife Jayne Bandy to help SME businesses improve their Customer Service Systems to create memorable World Class experiences for their valued clients and customers. Click here to find out how David and Jayne can help your business