Office Apology Etiquette, 1924

The imperative "pardon me" is not courteous unless prefixed by “please” and even then is not quite so good in form as the first phrase. This is equally true at all times when a simple apology is made.

Apologies, How to Make and How to Receive Them:

Office etiquette for business women

In the carrying out of the various office duties during the day there are many times when one has to do little things that call for apology. In such matters as reaching across the desk or table of a nearby worker to get some necessary papers or other materials one should never neglect to apologize. "I beg your pardon" is all that need be said and it calls for no answer, a smile will show sufficiently that the apology is accepted. The imperative "pardon me" is not courteous unless prefixed by "please" and even then is not quite so good in form as the first phrase. This is equally true at all times when a simple apology is made.

If a more explicit apology is necessary because of something for which one is really sorry, such as the careless disturbance of another's work, the upsetting of an inkwell or any similar accident, it is not polite, nor is it kind to dismiss the act with a curt "pardon me." "I'm sorry, I did not mean to do it," and an offer to help repair any damage will express courteously and adequately one's sense of responsibility for the trouble and will be a sufficient apology. 

To receive an apology of this kind with a cross or surly reply is highly discourteous, regardless of one's feelings at the moment. An apology should always be graciously received, no matter what the occasion, for it presupposes some humiliation on the part of the person offering it and to relieve this feeling in another is only the kind and right thing to do. After this little exchange of courtesies the decent thing is to forget that the accident occurred and to refrain from comment about it later with one's officemates.– From “Office Etiquette for Business Women,” by Ida White Parker, 1924

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