I would personally lose the pre-apology, on aesthetic grounds, as it infers guilt , guilt of what? I don't know, but its a bad look, It's a idiosyncrasy of mine. "I would have said " I don't understand " or "no U." as brevity is a good rule of writing aesthetics. I find the aphorisms the most aesthetic and effective form of communication.
Being conscientious is a social skill, Prisoner. That's why people do this.