It's never easy to say no, especially when we're invited somewhere by someone close to us. Maybe it's time to learn how to tur down an invitation without hurting people's feelings.
Delay your response. Avoid responding immediately to a request you believe you will turn down. A quick "No" will rob (剥夺) you of time to come up with a kind refusal. A simple "Let me check my calendar and get back to you" will often work.
Check your calendar for conflicts. If you are lucky, you will have a scheduling conflict. You can honestly decline due to the conflict. If the person insists on inviting you, they may ask you for a better time. When you see your calendar is busy, take a little extra time in advance to think about a kind refusal if they ask for a better time.
If you know you want to decline before checking your calendar, you may have a reason in mind. Do you dislike the task? Are you planning to go to that event with someone else? Think about reasons you can give that focus on aspects of the request, instead of the aspects of the person requesting it.
Remember to respond. If you do not respond, they may think you feel they are not important. So do remember to reply to requests. Emphasize non-personal reasons for declining.
A. Avoid admitting your schedule is open.
B. Identify exactly why you want to decline.
C. So be prepared to respond with a more direct refusal.
D. This gives you time to create a response in your head.
E. But you often find yourself saying yes and regretting it later on.
F. Keep these in mind if the other party asks why you are declining.
G. Forgetting about a request may hurt people or make you an impolite person.
