The thread about giving a reason when you're declining an invitation reminds me of Clues for the Clueless: Dogbert's Big Book of Manners and the part in which Dogbert gives guys hints regarding whether the girl is interested or not when she declines an invitation. The trick was that if her reason was general but likely ("I'm really busy that day") she's interested, but if her reason is specific but improbable she's probably not interested. I think the example was, "I have to wash my cat."
When I read it I thought it was hilarious, and still kind of do, but of course you could find out if the person you're asking out is interested by the enthusiasm of the reply: "Oh, no, I can't make it on Friday! But how about Saturday?" versus "I'm sorry, but I don't think I can make it. Thanks for asking, though!"
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The thread about giving a reason when you're declining an invitation reminds me of Clues for the Clueless: Dogbert's Big Book of Manners and the part in which Dogbert gives guys hints regarding whether the girl is interested or not when she declines an invitation. The trick was that if her reason was general but likely ("I'm really busy that day") she's interested, but if her reason is specific but improbable she's probably not interested. I think the example was, "I have to wash my cat."
When I read it I thought it was hilarious, and still kind of do, but of course you could find out if the person you're asking out is interested by the enthusiasm of the reply: "Oh, no, I can't make it on Friday! But how about Saturday?" versus "I'm sorry, but I don't think I can make it. Thanks for asking, though!"