Alright, so, today I’m gonna spill the beans on something I actually spent some time on: coming up with excuses for not hanging out. Yeah, I know, sounds kinda lame, but hear me out. We’ve all been there, right? That moment when someone invites you out and you just… can’t. But you also don’t wanna be a jerk about it.
So, it all started last month. My buddy Mark kept bugging me to go hiking. Now, I like Mark, but hiking? Not my thing. Especially not after a long week. So, I needed an out. A believable one. I started brainstorming. The obvious ones like “I’m busy” or “I’m tired” felt too generic, too easy to see through.
First, I tried the “I’ve got a thing” approach. I told him I had a “thing” I needed to take care of. He pressed me for details. Big mistake on his part. I went with “Oh, you know, just some… stuff. Important stuff.” He didn’t buy it. He knows me too well.
Okay, strike one. Time to get creative. I thought about family obligations. That’s always a good one. So, the next time he asked, I said, “My aunt is coming into town.” Boom! Seemed to work. He didn’t question it. But then, a week later, he asked how my aunt was. Crap. I totally forgot I used that excuse. Had to quickly recover with a story about her leaving early due to a sudden… cat emergency? Yeah, I went there.
That’s when I realized I needed a system. A legit excuse arsenal. So, I started making a list. Here’s what I came up with:
- “I’m waiting for a delivery.” This is gold. It’s vague, it’s relatable, and it implies you have to stay home.
- “I’ve got a headache.” Classic. Can’t argue with a headache. Plus, it suggests you’re not fun to be around.
- “I promised I’d help someone with something.” Again, vague, but it paints you as a good person.
- “I’m trying to finish a project.” This makes you sound productive, even if the project is just binge-watching Netflix.
- “I need to clean my place.” No one wants to hang out with someone who lives in a pigsty, right?
But here’s the key: you gotta commit to the excuse. Don’t just throw it out there and hope it sticks. Sell it! Act tired, or concerned, or whatever emotion fits the excuse. Practice your delivery in the mirror if you have to. Seriously, I did.
For example, I used the “waiting for a delivery” excuse last week when my neighbor invited me to a barbecue. I told him I was expecting a really important package and had to be home to sign for it. He seemed disappointed, but he understood. The next day, he even asked how the package was! I just said it was exactly what I needed. End of story.
Now, I’m not saying you should lie all the time. Honesty is usually the best policy. But sometimes, you just need a good excuse to avoid social situations. And if you’re gonna do it, do it right. That’s my take.
So, yeah, that’s my deep dive into the art of dodging hangouts. Use this knowledge wisely, my friends. And maybe, just maybe, use it to actually take some time for yourself and recharge. You deserve it.
