I'm going to say ditto on hahathor's comments and reiterate that most of the time being asked out is really flattering. Even if it is a friend to whom I am not attracted, it's still flattering. Even if there's a moment of awkwardness, it doesn't last long. I think (and this goes for male or female), the awkwardness lasts longer in the mind of the rejected than the mind of the rejector. The few times I've asked guys out and they weren't interested, they were almost immediately cool with going back to the way things were, whereas I felt a little weird for a while. Of course, there were also the couple of guys who said no, but then somehow or another got affected by my suggestion and ended up changing their mind after hanging out for a little while. So, who knows?
I also think you're onto something about signals -- if I'm interested, I try to make it clear that I won't be offended by being asked out. But not everyone has the same signals, so I imagine it can get frustrating.
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Date: 2006-11-06 12:52 pm (UTC)I also think you're onto something about signals -- if I'm interested, I try to make it clear that I won't be offended by being asked out. But not everyone has the same signals, so I imagine it can get frustrating.