Oh sorry - I didn't explain why my 'people walking out on me' was germane to this discussion.

I liken my responses to each of these situations I list above to yours SOL. I wondered "should I attempt damage repair" whether or not I agree with the offended party? Or should I let it go? I have to say I've done both. Most of the time I've said "I am sorry to have offended, it was not my intention." And I was earnest when I said this, even though I believed they should not have been offended.

But one of these times I determined the person was truly unreasonable and not genuine in their alleged "offense" - so I declined to comment at all.