Is "I don't know" the same as no?

[pingu777]

Just that really. In various situations, does I don't know/ I'm not sure constitute a no?

It wouldn't to me . It would mean " I don't know "

No, it would mean "i don't know".

Depends if what they actually said was "I don't, no."

That only makes sense in certain contexts though!

"Do you have a pencil I could borrow?"

"I don't, no."

If it was written down/that wouldn't make sense, then no, I would never think "I don't know" constituted a "no" - it means you're unsure.

DD always says that when I say 'I don't know' it means no but it actually means 'i'm not sure at this point in time and don't want to say yes because you'll never let me forget it'

Actually, scratch that - in sexual situations it means no in that it's not enthusiastic consent. Is that the context for this, OP?

I've been pushed into sexual situations before where I felt unable to say "no" and instead said "I'm not sure/I don't know" because I was afraid of the consequences of a direct "no". In that context, anything less than an enthusiastic "Yes!" should be taken as a no IMO.

Is "I don't know" the same as no?

I don't know.

• not sure, not aware, haven't really thought of it, have no opinion about it either way, don't have the details to form an opinion.

Is "I don't know" the same as no?

No.

• This is my opinion. I think it's not.

In conclusion, both are not the same.

@pingu777

Just that really. In various situations, does I don't know/ I'm not sure constitute a no?

It does depend on the situation. It's not a yes is it?

It also depends on situations, in some cases when someone says 'I don't know', It's better to see it as 'well not a yes'. So don't proceed.

On the other hand, people should not expect others to read their mind. If it's a no, say no.

If the question was something where only an enthusiastic yes is a yes - "Do you love me?", maybe - then it could be basically the same as a no.

Or, as a PP said, in a sexual context.

I also use "I don't know,..." as a way to politely disagree with someone. So for example:

"I think all people with green hair are bastards"
"Oh I don't know, I think there are plenty of nice people with green hair"

If you see what I mean? There's a context to it that's "I disagree but to plainly say you're wrong feels too blunt".

‘Are you having a heart attack?’
‘I don’t know.’
I wouldn’t take that as a firm no.

‘Do you fancy a pizza?’
‘I don’t know.’
A pizza might be acceptable but not preferred. Still not exactly a no.

‘Will you marry me?’
‘I don’t know.’
Doesn’t sound promising.

For me personally, "I don't know", means "I don't know" (what ever the context might be). However, I don't know if everyone else means "I don't know" when they say it, for some people it might actually mean" yes" but they don't want to sound too eager!

Wel, it’s not yes.

Well

@BombyliusMajor For some reason the idea of someone answering ‘I don’t know’ to ‘Will you marry me?’ absolutely has me in stitches thank you!

Your post sums it up perfectly though, it’s all about context.

[quote Dollywilde]@BombyliusMajor For some reason the idea of someone answering ‘I don’t know’ to ‘Will you marry me?’ absolutely has me in stitches thank you!

Your post sums it up perfectly though, it’s all about context.[/quote]
It is all in context yes, but all of your contexts aren't quite a no, but not a resounding yes either!

"I don't know" means either that the person hasn't made their mind up, so could be interpreted as a "maybe", or if in answer to a question that doesn't have a yes or no answer like "What is the capital city of Belgium?" It literally means they do not know the answer.

What a boring answer I've just written! Sorry. What was the question to which IDK was the answer anyway?

If it's a consent thing then idk would pretty much be a no. Since it's not a yes, it's not an agreement, therefore it's a no. Someone kick me off this thread now.

Sometimes it means, I'm really not up for the discussion that saying no to you right now would mean.

Sometimes it really means I don't know.

And others it means, I would love to say yes but i really need to check my budget.

‘I am planning to get a tattoo of Professor Chris Whitty, isn’t that a great idea?’

‘Mmmm, I don’t know...’

^means No.

@CallmeNessa

If it's a consent thing then idk would pretty much be a no. Since it's not a yes, it's not an agreement, therefore it's a no. Someone kick me off this thread now.

This has come up a couple of times and absolutely anything other than a yes means no when it comes to consent in that context!

So my question wasn't in relation to this

I think it's fairly clear that you're unsure if you say you 'don't know'. If you mean no but say 'don't know' then you're saying the wrong thing, designed to confuse.

Do you love me? I don't know
Well it's not exactly a yes is it so...

Can I put my penis inside you? I don't know
No

Is it 2 eggs in the recipe or 3? I don't know
I don't know

Did I make you orgasm? I don't know...
No

Am I the biggest you've ever had? I don't know
No