“I think there’s a non-trivial possibility that you will turn hostile/abusive/violent if I reject your advances”
Other possibilities include some or all of: “I think you’ll be hurt by my real reasons for rejecting you. I see no benefit in making those reasons clear, and it makes me uncomfortable to cause other people distress (I don’t think you’ll get angry! probably just sad). You might prefer the painful truth, but given that we’re merely acquaintances, that preference of yours doesn’t outweigh my wish to avoid an awkward scene. In fact, I doubt you value the truth about the matter so highly that I’d be fulfilling your real (if not espoused) preferences by delivering a harsh truth. Finally, I think that while you’re not partner material, you’re fun enough to hang out with on occasion. Telling you that I think you’re a 5.5/10 kind of person would make future encounters awkward too, so on balance it seems better to lie and preserve a mildly pleasurable, casual friendship.”
Still insulting, I guess, but not for the same reasons. I think the ‘hostile/abusive/violent’ thing is a lot rarer than the above.
Yes, your description seems plausible. I was responding specifically to the reason Chris was describing, but you are correct that your described reason also happens.
Still insulting, I guess, but not for the same reasons.
Yeah… most of that isn’t insulting, but “In fact, I doubt you value the truth about the matter so highly that I’d be fulfilling your real (if not espoused) preferences by delivering a harsh truth.” is, somewhat.
I think the ‘hostile/abusive/violent’ thing is a lot rarer than the above.
Well, maybe. Depends on which feminist websites you read, you might get different estimates. I have witnessed and heard about (from friends / acquaintances) of both sorts of situations, certainly.
Other possibilities include some or all of: “I think you’ll be hurt by my real reasons for rejecting you. I see no benefit in making those reasons clear, and it makes me uncomfortable to cause other people distress (I don’t think you’ll get angry! probably just sad). You might prefer the painful truth, but given that we’re merely acquaintances, that preference of yours doesn’t outweigh my wish to avoid an awkward scene. In fact, I doubt you value the truth about the matter so highly that I’d be fulfilling your real (if not espoused) preferences by delivering a harsh truth. Finally, I think that while you’re not partner material, you’re fun enough to hang out with on occasion. Telling you that I think you’re a 5.5/10 kind of person would make future encounters awkward too, so on balance it seems better to lie and preserve a mildly pleasurable, casual friendship.”
Still insulting, I guess, but not for the same reasons. I think the ‘hostile/abusive/violent’ thing is a lot rarer than the above.
Yes, your description seems plausible. I was responding specifically to the reason Chris was describing, but you are correct that your described reason also happens.
Yeah… most of that isn’t insulting, but “In fact, I doubt you value the truth about the matter so highly that I’d be fulfilling your real (if not espoused) preferences by delivering a harsh truth.” is, somewhat.
Well, maybe. Depends on which feminist websites you read, you might get different estimates. I have witnessed and heard about (from friends / acquaintances) of both sorts of situations, certainly.