Some people refuse to apologize for mistakes they have made. They consider it beneath their dignity. Some others apologize in a manner that lessens the mistake while many — as noted above — simply will not apologize at all. What is important about apologizing is that people take responsibility for the wrong they have done, whether intentionally or unintentionally.

We are trying to justify our actions when we apologize. Apologies without justifications make each party think that he is in a stronger position. Creating this feeling is the reason for apologizing and it is unimportant if the person who apologizes is wholly or partly responsible for the mistake. Just being willing to take the responsibility requires some courage. Apologizing at the right time is very important in any relationship. Many people think that they do not owe the same consideration to others which they expect — and sometimes demand — from them.

I know a woman who was constantly criticized by her fiance in front of other people. Some of his comments were full of sarcasms but then whenever he behaved badly, he always sent her a dozen roses. When they finally broke their engagement, she returned the thorns from the roses to him. He was a person who had no intention of changing his behavior. He was good about apologizing but an apology also means the person will try not to repeat the same mistake. Sometimes you have to apologize whether or not you made the mistake.

Accepting an apology is also an art and requires courage. Many people find it difficult to apologize just because they do not want to do so. The person receiving the apology should tell the one apologizing, “I know it is hard for you to do this” or “Thank you for apologizing.” Receiving the apology with tact and politeness is important as it makes things easier for the person who is apologizing.

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Is there a reason which makes a woman love more than one man? Is there a woman whose heart is so wide that she can love more than one man? What would a woman do if she loved one man and committed her life to him and then fell in love with someone else without changing her feelings for the first one?

In a poll by an American magazine, the result showed more than 60 percent of women are able to love more than one man at the same time. One out of five women are in love with more than one man.

Rachel, a psychiatrist, answered the question why women fall in love with two men at the same time. According to her, women think they can have everything at the same time and so they love more than one man at the same time. But, says Rachel, this idea cannot be practiced in love because when women fall in love with more than one man, they will feel confused about which one to choose and as time goes on, she feels that she cannot live without them.

According to Rachel, the love of women who love more than one man will not last. Poll results proved that after six to ten months, the love will end because it was not real from the beginning. It was a result of conflicting emotions and feelings. This is commonly seen in women who have a relationship with more than one man; when the relationship ends with one, she searches for another. Rachel feels that women fall in love with more than one man because of long working hours that keeps them far away from their lover and they search for another to fill the emotional gap they live in. Also, Rachel says, women who keep a distance between themselves and their men will fall in love with another man.

There are many signs that indicate women can love more than one man. One is the emptiness she feels with her man; another is trying to draw attention to her even when she is living happily with her man. The last sign is when a woman starts to search for a loyal friend and later discovers that she is totally in love with him, and at that time she will have to choose and that is the most difficult part.

Arab News Features 3 January 2003