People are discussing a lot about how acceptable apologizes should really be like, which is GREAT. But may I add: giving an explanation and giving an excuse is NOT the same thing. If someone is apologizing to me, I wanna know what their mindset used to be and what their mindset is now so that I can see change.
That being said, let's go to examples:
"I wasn't in a good place when I did that, but that's no excuse for how I treated you and I apologize for it" is okay. "I get it, you're mad and all that but you know I only did that because I wasn't in a good place" is not.
"I was going through a lot at that time, that's why I said what I said. But none of that was your fault, so I'm really sorry I took it out on you" is okay. "C'mon you know what I was going through. I'm sorry but I had no time to think about your feelings back then" is not.
"What I said was supposed to be just a joke, but I realize now that it wasn't funny, I realize it hurt you. That was never my intention and I'm sorry I made you feel like that" is okay. "If you want me apologize I will, but really, it was just a joke, there's no reason for you to be so mad" is not.
