Techniques for Saying No

When faced with an inopportune request, it's time to bust out the big guns. Here are some techniques for saying no, with panache.

The Art of the Brush-Off

Say no with confidence and a flick of the wrist. This classic move involves giving a dismissive wave, like you're swatting a pesky fly.

Learn more about the art of the sweep

The No-Strawman

Use a straw man, but only for the sake of argument. This technique involves creating a fake person to disagree with, while you secretly agree with the original request.

Read more about the No-Strawman

The Faux-Pass Just Say No: Techniques

Techniques for Saying No

When faced with an inopportune request, it's time to bust out the big guns. Here are some techniques for saying no, with panache.

The Art of the Brush-Off

Say no with confidence and a flick of the wrist. This classic move involves giving a dismissive wave, like you're swatting a pesky fly.

Learn more about the art of the sweep

The No-Strawman

Use a straw man, but only for the sake of argument. This technique involves creating a fake person to disagree with, while you secretly agree with the original request.

Read more about the No-Strawman

The Faux-Pass

A clever play on words, this technique involves saying yes, but really saying no, while maintaining a straight face. It's like saying "I'd be delighted to," but really meaning "no way José."

Discover the secrets of the Faux-Pass

Passive-Aggres

Don't bother saying no directly, just pretend you're not even paying attention. This technique involves giving an air of disinterest and ignoring the request altogether. It's like you're saying, "Huh, what was the question again?"

Master the art of Passive-Aggres