Having had a Christmas present rejected by a 10 year old I’m well aware of fake apologies. The kid, who had expressed interest in basketball multiple times, asked me a pointed "why did you give me a basketball?" Accusatory tone as if I had gifted him a turd. When suggested by the relevant horrified parent to apologise he laughed. Then later when forced to apologise he did so robotically. I asked him why he was apologising. "Because I had to". When I asked him if he understood why, he said no. Being the offended party I suggested he think about the why before he considered apologising. He disappeared for awhile then came back with a smirk on his face and apologised again. I asked him why he was apologising again when he didn't mean it. Again "because he was told to."
Delivery and intent actually matters.
Maybe this year a certain someone will get some coal.
Having had a Christmas present rejected by a 10 year old I’m well aware of fake apologies. The kid, who had expressed interest in basketball multiple times, asked me a pointed "why did you give me a basketball?" Accusatory tone as if I had gifted him a turd. When suggested by the relevant horrified parent to apologise he laughed. Then later when forced to apologise he did so robotically. I asked him why he was apologising. "Because I had to". When I asked him if he understood why, he said no. Being the offended party I suggested he think about the why before he considered apologising. He disappeared for awhile then came back with a smirk on his face and apologised again. I asked him why he was apologising again when he didn't mean it. Again "because he was told to."
Delivery and intent actually matters.
Maybe this year a certain someone will get some coal.