I hate to bring this point out like that but:

Everytime you face a disagreement apologizing humanizes you in the mind of the other person. Their approach will usually soften and will show sympathy. It allows your point to be driven further into the exchange, make the other side friendly, and reduce the amount of potential loss.

Though I did do it in a genuine manner. Its that I have been in marketing for so lonf that things just become second nature. I hope to one day meet you and buy you a cup of coffee (water for me, due to past heart issues).

It is like the roboticist who one day wakes up and realizes that his body is now made out of metal. :)