To think that 'No' is NOT a complete sentence?

[HisFluffyPinkSlippers]

I read on various places, that 'no is a complete sentence'.

For example, such-and-such has invited me somewhere that I don't want to go, how do I say no?

And then there will be a bunch of replies to say 'no is a complete sentence'. Which is fine, if you are actively trying to break up a friendship/relationship, but don't then complain about how few friends you have.

Basically it's bad advice in many cases, in my opinion.

Hmmmm it does depend quite a lot on who you're saying it to.
So a mate of mine wanted to come see me one day next week between shifts. I straight up said ah no. It sounds rude written down, but if you understood it's taken me a long time to get to the stage of saying it so rudely you might see why.

She is the type to say why not and then I feel resentful that I a 50+ year old woman has to tell another person personal details or lie. Once upon a time I would've said ah yeah, I've got a GP appointment that day, she would ask me to move it (like that's so easy these days) when I said no, she would try to see me around it, which wont work (I will add she is desperate to be left alone in my house to have a good nosey round, this will never happen) so seeing me around the GP appointment would mean her trying to get me to go and leave her in my house alone.

And its all a big faff, so now I just say no and offer no other details and no other day to see me. Somehow she has refrained from dumping me as a mate so it's working.

And children appreciate a straight no, or indeed yes.

I assume it's not meant too literally and you are meant to just bark "no" at someone but it can definitely be unhelpful to suggest someone can just respond to a friend's assertion "I was thinking of coming to visit next week" with "No" and make out like that's not the height of rudeness.

I give a reason, even as simple as "I can't commit to that right now", and then, if they pursue it after they've had an answer, it's perfectly all right to respond with just a (polite) "No".

alot of the time rightly or wrongly if people said no, or why then others would get in a huff, its like me, sometimes i have me time for projects etc but a friend then thinks why do that on x day and do y instead but then get in a huff if i say no, somtimes its easier to keep the peace than be honest

It's not lying to say I've planned a quiet weekend at home if you've planned a quiet weekend at home, or you don't fancy the film if you don't fancy the film?

It's lying to say 'oh sorry I've got a migraine' if you've planned a quiet weekend at home, or 'can't get a babysitter' if you don't fancy the film.

It depends on who is doing the asking. If its someone pushy or a whinging beighbour then I dont feel the incentive to be polite and fluffy. So its likely to be📧

That doesnt work for me so Ill leave it with you.

If its a social invitation I will be a little softer📧

Thank you for inviting me. I do appreciate it but have a lot on at present so I will politely decline. Do enjoy your evening.

It doesn't literally mean you only need to say 'no', you are still meant to be polite, while standing your ground.

"No, i can't, sorry" or "I'm afraid i'm not available" or "I have other plans" or sometimes even "I don't want to do that" or "That's not for me, thanks"

Its about being honest and not making excuses or lying about it.

"Thanks for the invite, but i won't be coming" you know?

Stop taking things so literally.