Makes more sense to forgive instead of standing up for honor because honor, our self-respect could be plain ego. Forgiveness is automatic when you shift responsibility to yourself (and your karma) as the source of the event. Asking for forgiveness is as important and can be done inter-personally (sometimes backfires) or from comfort of room. If need be, It should be backed up with atonement (prayaschit) which is restorative for the other person if possible.
