Sure. I have an opposite problem, of ending the interaction with at least the minimum of politeness instead of anger or utter contempt. I typically manage it, though. (though I don’t actually have to deal with door-to-door salesmen ever, and phone sales extremely rarely. So it’s more people who approach me on the street to try and sell stuff or ask for money).
Nevertheless, this has been interesting to consider. While I’m not vulnerable to door-to-door sales, I recently noticed I may be vulnerable to less obvious variants of the same kind of manipulation. I feel this is an example of a general pattern in social interactions (or, say, work relations).
You feel that the true reason to say no is impolite/unacceptable to say. You say something that sounds polite/reasonable instead, even if that is not your true reason (though it may be part of the reason). You have now pseudo-committed to acting like it is your actual reason to say no. This has created an attack surface that can be exploited.
Sure. I have an opposite problem, of ending the interaction with at least the minimum of politeness instead of anger or utter contempt. I typically manage it, though. (though I don’t actually have to deal with door-to-door salesmen ever, and phone sales extremely rarely. So it’s more people who approach me on the street to try and sell stuff or ask for money).
Nevertheless, this has been interesting to consider. While I’m not vulnerable to door-to-door sales, I recently noticed I may be vulnerable to less obvious variants of the same kind of manipulation. I feel this is an example of a general pattern in social interactions (or, say, work relations).
You feel that the true reason to say no is impolite/unacceptable to say.
You say something that sounds polite/reasonable instead, even if that is not your true reason (though it may be part of the reason).
You have now pseudo-committed to acting like it is your actual reason to say no. This has created an attack surface that can be exploited.