Life has its moments in which mistakes are made, or indiscretions caught, or tempers lost, that in clearer moments, necessitates an apology to those that have been hurt of affected negatively by such. For some people, apologies are extremely easy, not so much because that person providing the apology, is so good at recognizing their errors and thereby admitting to such; but because their apologetic words easily roll off their tongue in a manner in which those words as spoken, don't amount to all that much. That sort of apology, which is a real art form for some people, often is insincere; for it basically contains either equivocation, or excuses, or other such nonsense, signifying that an apology such as that is one that rings incredibly hollow.
Basically, when an apology so given, does not also contain the specifics of what that person is apologizing for, then clearly the person apologizing, has not examined thoroughly what it really is that they did wrong. In point of fact, an appropriate apology, addresses what it is that the individual did wrong, and does not make excuses for their action; but leaves such considerations in the hands of the person so offended. Further to the point, those that apologize and own up to and thereby take responsibility for what they have done wrong, are entitled to ask for forgiveness. Whether such forgiveness sought, will be granted, is up to the other party, and in fairness to that party, that forgiveness need not be instant, for not all wounds, can be healed within a short amount of time, apology or not.
Far too many people are poor at apologizing because far too many people do not want to face up to the consequences of their actions, and will not willingly take personal responsibility for their actions. If a given person, won't own up to their faults and mistakes upon another, when such is clearly evident and they further believe that they should not suffer for having made such a mistake; then it is also fair to
expect, given such, that all that they do which is good and right for that other, may not allow that other to fully ever appreciate such. That is to say, life should consist of a two-way street, and more people need to more fully recognize that their actions and words, have consequences, both good as well as bad, and a just person, takes full responsibility for all that which has their name written upon it.
There should not be any shortcuts in apologies, and in actuality, there really is not. Those that have done wrong and are able to recognize such, surely have a better perspective than those that recognize not. This thus means, that the very first step in a good apology, is in the recognition that a wrong has occurred, and thereby the next appropriate step is to own up to the specifics of that wrong; followed by the act of rectifying that wrong, if such can be done, and finally by the requesting of forgiveness to the party damaged by that wrong. That then, is a real apology.