<human>: I've always thought saying "I'm sorry" as an apology to be too simplistic/cookie-cutter or a phrase and one best used for when you bump into a stranger at a grocery store. Much like saying, "How are you doing today?" being a routine greeting. Most of the time you're not actually asking the person to tell you how they're day is going, it's just a more polite or friendly greeting.

I was playing a video game the other day and I snapped at my girlfriend when she asked me something (neither of us remember what the topic even was). In my mind, I **immediately** knew I'd done something wrong. She said something along the lines of, "Do you think that was appropriate?", to which I replied, "No, you're right. I was wrong and I shouldn't have said that." (I know I **should** have apologized immediately, before she said something, but it's too late for that.)

**Is that an apology?**

A major part of this from my gf's POV is the lack of sincerity. Because I didn't stop the game, turn around, and apologize while looking in her eyes, it wasn't sincere. I told her that had I looked at her and tossed out an "I'm sorry", it wouldn't have felt genuine, and that was I did say was **much** more sincere and heartfelt. I've always felt content means more than presentation, with this situation being a perfect example.

Assuming we're not the only couple with this issue, I wanted to reach out and get other viewpoints on it, and where better than /r/relationship_advice?

Can you succinctly summarize the text in 1-3 sentences?
<bot>: Apologized to GF without using the phrase "I'm sorry" or looking into her eyes. She doesn't consider it an apology.