Four words you can use to politely say “no,” or to disagree with someone politely.
Here’s a silly but true example of the four words in action.
First tee box on The Judge, Robert Trent Jones Golf Course in Prattville, Al.
There’s a 200-foot drop to the tight fairway.
Woods to the left. Water to the right.
My buddy says, “Don’t hit it in the lake.”
At this point, it would be easy to make a bad swing.
The water is so inviting.
Refreshing to golf balls.
Instead, I use the four words because I disagree with my buddy.
“That’s not for me.”
“What?! What do you mean that’s not for you?”
“That’s not for me. The water is not meant for my golf ball. The fairway is for me.”
However, it turned out that the water was for him 🙂
Let’s try it in another situation.
“Here, try some of my gourd casserole.”
“No, thank you. That’s not for me.”
Or…
“Hey, we were reeeeeally hoping you would come over Saturday night. I know your bedtime is 9, but we have some folks I think you’d love to meet. We’re getting started around 7:30. Please say you’ll come.”
“That’s not for me.”
See how this works?
When you say “no” people ask, “Why not?”
You have to give a defense.
“That’s not for me” confuses people.
Advanced level. “That’s not for me. I am not sure who it is for. But that’s not for me.”
Good luck!!
What phrases do you like to use to tell people “no” or that you disagree without saying “no” or I disagree?”