The word "no" is often misunderstood. It seems like no matter how many times one says it, people are still confused by its simple meaning. With hopes to clear up the confusion for those who need clarification, I came up with several meanings for "no" for various situations:
1. If someone says no after you tell them to smile more, they mean, "I'd rather maintain my resting bitch face than smile for you."
2. If someone says no after you ask them if you can have their number, they mean, "Why do you think I want to talk to you after this brief and unwanted interaction?"
3. If someone says no after you ask them out on a date, they mean, "I'm so incredibly uninterested in wasting my time going out with you."
4. If someone says no after you ask them to just be friends with you after they've already rejected your previous advances, they mean, "Please give up."
5. If someone says no after you ask them if they want a drink, they mean, "I don't want you to think you're obligated to talk to me more now."
6. If someone says no after you ask if they want to dance, they mean, "Get your nasty hands and sweaty body away from mine."
7. If someone says no after you ask if they want to go home with you, they mean, "Who even are you?"
8. If someone says no after you told them to do something with their body, they mean, "Seriously, who even are you?"
9. If someone says no after you ask or say anything, they mean, "No."
The list could go on, but I wanted to keep it short and sweet. If there is still some confusion, just remember that no means no in any instance.
Also remember that when someone says no, they don't want to be convinced to change their mind. They don't want to hear your retaliation. They don't want to be asked to justify their answer. Basically, they don't want or care about your opinion on the matter. When someone says no, leave it at that.
What is so hard to understand about a two letter word that babies and dogs understand? A word that is understood across multiple languages? I may never get an answer, but I do hope that I helped anyone who needed to be enlightened about the meaning of "no."
