In my first career I had a strategy for avoiding jobs I did not want: I just set my hourly fee so high nobody could afford the time.
This rule has worked in countless situations requiring subtlety, though I have no qualms about blunt refusal. When I say no people believe me. That is my thing – how I operate – how my life works.
But lately the control panel seems to be malfunctioning. I say no and someone replies would you like to fly (here/there/anywhere) to reconsider?
Um, okay. So long as you understand you are buying my time, not my consent.
Another set of free tickets, this time to Seattle – first class and purchased on short notice – why not?