[a_puppy]

> But I get that many women are not in a place where they feel comfortable doing this yet. Saying no is a skill that many of us are very bad at, especially doing it gently and unambiguously.

This is a totally valid point, and I don't mean to make anyone feel bad if they have trouble finding the words to let someone down gently. All I ask is that people should be aware that social awkwardness can sometimes look similar to rudeness, and should make an effort to let socially awkward men down gently, to the extent that they can.