I'm Sorry...

This phrase is used often; what does it mean, exactly?

• "I'm really sorry, but I don't know what all the fuss is about."
• "I'm not sorry, but I think you want me to say I am."
• "Someone is making me say, 'I'm sorry,' so I will, but I don't mean it." Sometimes saying "I'm sorry" is just a license to do the same thing again. It gets someone "off the hook," so to speak.

Here's a suggestion:

• "I'm sorry. I understand how this was hurtful, and I didn't intend for this to happen. I will take steps to see that this doesn't happen again."