In Time-Out

When I was little and I did bad stuff, I'd have to stand in the corner, facing the wall for ten minutes. I wasn't allowed to sit, I wasn't allowed to turn around, and I wasn't allowed to touch the wall. Naturally, I did all three when my mother wasn't looking, returning to the official time-out position like a ninja every time she would glance over to check on me. I was a bit of a con artist as a child, so I didn't get put in time-out very often, but when I did, I would bend every possible rule to make it less of a punishment.

These days it's a little different. I do something bad and get written up, or sent to the counseling office, or have to stay after class becuase a teacher wants me to apologize to someone for saying something. It's all very elementary-esque.

"You hurt So-and-so's feelings, and they would appreciate an apology."
"Then they can ask for one themself."
"That's not an apology, Julia."
"I am aware."
"Say you're sorry to So-and-so."
"But I'm not."
*glare*
"I'm sure if So-and-so wants an apology, then they want a sincere one. I can't do that right now."
"Just apologize and go."
"I guess I'm sorry."
"Apologize the right way."
"I just did, what more do you want? A fucking hug?"
*at this point So-and-so is reduced to tears, so I just leave*

Is there a right way to apologize? Was there ever a wrong way? I said the two required words, that should be enough. I mean, an apology is just the ends without the means. I could say sorry a billion times and she'd still be crying and feeling sorry for herself, so why waste the breath?

I guess I'm a bad kiddo. Maybe I just don't understand the sensitivty thing correctly. When someone makes a sarcastic remark about my weight (or lack thereof), nerdiness, hair color, or religion it stings for a millisecond and then I'm over it and laughing with the group. Why is it that I make one (really, it was only one) rude remark about this girl's chlamydia and she goes crying to teacher? Am I the only one who finds that reaction incredibly juvenile? Please, let me know if I am, I'd appreciate it. Maybe I'll go stand in time-out for a while until I feel bad about saying hurtful things to others.

Ah well. At least I've still got my con artist ninja abilities.


Waka-tshhh! (the sound punishment by whiplash makes, bahaha)
Julia