The Lance
September 28,1984
2
Is Saying Fm Sorry
acceptable—or Irresponsible?
Over the past two weeks, an internal question brought on by several
events has continued to plague my consciousness. The question, for me, is
not very original, and it is a question each of you have dealt with at one time
or another. But, it is a question I feel we must look at from time to time
while we journey through St. Andrews. So, with all that said, the question I
put before the student body is, “How far do we allow other people to
overstep the boundaries set up in our relationships before we take some
form of corrective action?”
Now, I think each person in this community will have a different limit of
toleration before there is some action taken. So, instead of examining how
people create their individual action lines, I would like to jump ahead and
examine how we respond to the apolegetic phrase, “Hey, I’m sorry.”
How many times have we had our toes stepped on, only to hear “Hey,
I’m sorry?” This simple statement given by folks to relinquish self respon
sibility for their actions becomes a little worn after the third and fourth use.
I wonder when it is appropriate to disregard this phrase as an apoligetic and
move to another form of responsive action. Again, I think we have moved
into an area where each of us must have an existing boundary already
established.
Alright, I’m not about to claim that I do not use this phrase because I do.
In fact, I used it to get out of writing this response, but then it struck me as a
total falling down of my commitment to the editor, so I told her I would
struggle through some response and here it is.
Now, tomorrow 1 may be grumpy, coarse, and short with some people
due to a lack of sleep in completing this commitment, but I hope if I step
over those invisible boundaries that you will allow me to say, “Hey, I’m
sorry.” I make this point for two reasons. First, I think it is imperative that
we try to understand the reasons why someone oversteps our boundary
before we take some form of action. Second, I also think it imperative that
we ask ourselves whether the person was sincere in their statement and not
just using it as an offhanded excuse.
In a nutshell. I’m simply saying that it is accepted, in my opinion, for
people to say, “Hey, I’m sorry”, but I would remind them that it is ac
cepted only as long as it remains sincere and meaningful, and it is not ac
cepted when it becomes an excuse for irresponsibility.
I
Drew Hayes
Student Association President
Granny’s Words
of Wisdom
Our grand business
is not to see what
lies dimly in the distance,
but to do what
lies clearly at hand.
(Thomas Carlyle)
No Spirit
I have noticeff that the peo
ple of this college express very-
little or no spirit! The other
day at one of tiie parties a soc
cer player inquired if I was go
ing to attend the soccer game.
The individual then proceeded
to tell me, with an expres
sionless face, that although he
knew the team would not win
he would appreciate my
presence at the game! Granted
I have never personally taken
part in this sport, I feel that
believing in one’s teammates
is a start to winning! If one
does not believe in himself or
others on the team, of course
he will lose.
L. Okan
Editor Brigitte Tomasovic
Sports Editor Ann Boone
Business Manager Dave Houck
■V
Layout Editor Lynn Okan
Photo Editor Chris Haycox
Assistant Photo Editor .. Daily Dial
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