Conversation is exactly the same.

When you say something that offends, someone objects.

You say something additional to ameliorate the situation.

In conversation nothing you have said can be made unsaid. You must add to the conversation to be sure that you are understood and to resolve any hostility you may have (hopefully inadvertently) created.

Here, you say something you wish you hadn't, you post an explanation that you regret what you said, or the manner in which it was stated, and you (usually) post something new to try to resolve the offense.

You have the option of explaining that it was an error, or that someone misunderstood your meaning. The original statement is yours, and your responsibility. It does not need to go away since it's the basis for further conversation that should resolve things for you.

John