well it really depends on what it is....... but i would rather be told directly... ya know like " hey dude i just broke your cd player (or what ever it may be) i am so sorry man i really am i didn't mean for it to happen." if they tell me what really happened and i can tell they are really sorry then i would be more likely to forgive them. sure i gonna be mad but it would be easier to get over if i was told the truth and knew what had happened.