It’s not difficult to deduce what kind of a response to the implication question is a socially acceptable one.
If you are saying that he can figure out whether lying or telling the truth about his implication is socially acceptable, sure.
The real problem is that he already had an implication, but he’s using the fact that it’s an implication to maintain plausible deniability by not coming out and saying it. Saying it may be socially unacceptable, but that’s because making the implication is also socially unacceptable.
It seems to me you’ve already decided what he was trying to imply. It might not be wise to do that based on such a simple remark.
If he brought it up to point out there should be more women on the list, you’ve likely just lost an ally. You’ve pretty much also lost the opportunity to make that point to anyone who noticed your prejudice.
If you are saying that he can figure out whether lying or telling the truth about his implication is socially acceptable, sure.
The real problem is that he already had an implication, but he’s using the fact that it’s an implication to maintain plausible deniability by not coming out and saying it. Saying it may be socially unacceptable, but that’s because making the implication is also socially unacceptable.
It seems to me you’ve already decided what he was trying to imply. It might not be wise to do that based on such a simple remark.
If he brought it up to point out there should be more women on the list, you’ve likely just lost an ally. You’ve pretty much also lost the opportunity to make that point to anyone who noticed your prejudice.