How Can I Put This?

I have a number of ways to avoid giving direct answers. I learned some of them while observing corporate weasels. Others came from the "keeping their options open" crowd. And some I came by honestly, having been married for 34 years.

I have heard and said such things as:

• You'll never know the amount of craftsmanship that went into this product.
• Purchasing our product will have a definite impact on your bottom line.
• Dollar for dollar, this is the product I'd most like to sell you.
• Let me check my calendar and I'll get back to you.
• My wife/boss/secretary is in charge of my schedule.
• Honey, don't we have that thing that weekend?
• My cat/neighbor/grandfather/mom is dying/in poor health - so my time isn't my own.
• Wow, hon. That dress is certainly something else.
• You are the most gorgeous woman I'm talking to.
• Hey, some of my best friends know people like that.
• Mmmm, this chicken/soup/dessert is really interesting.
• You'll never know how much I appreciate this.
• Did you see that game this weekend?
• If I don't write things down they never get done.
• There's a good chance you'll see me there.
• As far as you know . . .
• No, those pants don't make your ass look big.
  
• I feel a lot more like I do now than I did before I got here.
• I was just thinking about calling you.

And . . .

• Of course not, I had to get up to answer the phone, anyway.