"I'm Sorry"

Have you ever took the time to think about the phrase "I'm sorry" and how people use it. I mean really people throw around those two words all the time. Something that I've always been hated for is the fact that i don't say im sorry unless I mean it. Even then I will often say I apologize I feel it's more sincere. I have had countless discussions with numerous people on this matter and realize everyone's view is different but it still bothers me.

One person told me that sometimes they say their "sorry" because the other person feels so bad. Really they say it to pacify them and to smooth over a situation. Another said that if a group of friends or family make them feel bad and tell them they should feel sorry then they say it. Lastly another told me they say it because it's second nature at this point they've grown up their whole life saying their sorry when offending others.

Now when I got these responses I have to admit I was a little baffled. I was taught that when you apologize to someone it should be out of a sincerity of heart with the purpose of not repeating those actions towards them. Thus the stubbornness of not apologizing until I truly mean it.

So these things had me thinking how many times have people just thrown those words at me to smooth over a disagreement??? Is it not okay to agree to disagree with another???  More often then not when you disagree with someone one party is offended that you can't see their point. But should that ruin a friendship???

To go a step further can "Sorry" really fix everything???