Anyone got any good reasons to get out of doing something ?

[Lardlizard]

Yes I know no is a complete sentence and all that

But been asked to do something I feel slightly obliged to do but don’t want to 🙈

So I feel I need to make up an excuse
As if I do just say no With no fake excuse
I’m going to upset someone

Waiting in for a delivery?

Oh it depends. I lie with impunity in situations like this. In every other way I am totally honest, bit if I don't want to do something but it's difficult to say no without causing awkwardness I lie.

Usually it's a medical appt for me as it fits in with my usual way of life and doesn't seem unlikely. Rehearsal/gig also. Depends what you usually would be booked up with really.

If anyone cold calls at my house, I open a window and tell them I am the cleaner

Hospital rang to change a medical appointment.

That actually just happened to me, so it has some credibility I guess as an excuse. You could do a load of fake sighing as well when you tell them what happened.

Family member waiting for a Covid test result.

Just say you wish you could but your already committed to helping X do something.

Also with fake medical appointments, you can say you have to keep the diary free in case they change it again / send you for blood tests / scans or x-rays / make a follow-up appointment, so sadly you can't commit to doing The Thing on another date either.

Ddog/dcat /dgoat has got the shits.. Keep them from coming round!!

And if asked about the fake medical condition, mutter something about it being gynaecological. Usually shuts people up.

Jury service

Fake illness.

Lay the ground work the day before 'just to warn you, I'm feeling rough. Fingers crossed for tomorrow, will let you know first thing'

And then on the day, oh no, so sad, too unwell to go.

Maybe given Corona I'd make it a stomach bug or bad back, nothing COVID related

Oh I can’t do it last min, I need to say an excuse straight away as I’d feel more guilty doing it last min

Blame it on something vaguely to do with COVID or lockdown

Self isolating? When is it?

Just say you are having anger-management issues.

Ok, how about:

• pre booked and long awaited medical appointment?
• pre booked and long awaited tradesman visiting (tradeswomen also of course)
• children's nativity play via zoom?
• volunteering commitment?

At the moment I'd use self isolating, depending when it is you can decline at any point especially as you need to start isolating as soon as you are notified.

Gp phone appointment. You were lucky to get it so you need to stay home so you don't miss it.

Dentist appointment has been changed,

This has a actually happened to me three times over the last few months - all for the same appointment. They can only see a few people due to the Covid rules.

"I could, but I don't want to".

Channel your inner Phoebe Buffay.

I can't sorry. I'm swamped.

Sorry, I haven't got the car that day.

Sorry, I've got other comitments.

Sorry, I just haven't got the time.

Sorry, I've got a hundred errands to run and I won't be home.

Sorry, no, I've got family stuff on. (could be baking with DC, taking elderly sick person to GP appointment, xmas film and hot chocolate in your onesie - doesn't matter!).

Sorry, I can't have X child over for the afternoon, DC has got very obsessive over their toys/is on a screen ban/has extra maths work.

If they push, take out the 'sorry' part of every answer. If they persist, say 'I've said no. I really have to go now it's dinner time/bath time/gotta hoover up dog vom...' etc.

Any insistence over whatsapp is easy to ignore.

Depends on the relationship and what it is really.
Work christmas zoom party, meeting friend for a coffee, going on holiday with inlaws ?

But what it it you are being asked to do - something you can do at home? something you need to go somewhere for? something you need to lend somebody? More context is needed to help you come up with a plausible excuse :)

The car is in for service that day/needs an MOT/new brakes etc.
You've agreed to be "on call" in case you're needed to babysit.
Medical or optician's appointment. (The optician's appointment necessitates having drops in your eye which means you can't see properly until they wear off).
Boiler repair man is coming.

Is it a lift?
An Event?
Or needing you to do a task?

A little bit of drip feeding needed here please!