Miss Manners: How to Say No

I've written before about the joy of saying no when asked to do something that doesn't fit with your goals and priorities.

But I realize I've forgotten to quote Miss Manners, who provides such good advice on how to say no.

Her recommended phrase is, "Oh, I'm so terribly sorry, I just can't." If asked why not, her reply is, "Because I'm afraid it's just impossible."


[Quoted from the wonderful book, Miss Manners' Guide to Excruciatingly Correct Behavior, by Judith Martin]