This is great, sometimes you need to have those solid, clear boundaries.

If you want to be somewhat “diplomatic,” what I’ll do is give a response depending from whom it comes from.

Not my boss: “please check with my boss to see if he wants me to drop anything to help you.”

my boss: “I’m doing x, y, and z. Which do you want me to drop so I can do this new task?”

Pasting dildos on top of snails? Aye, a good round of fun, but rather cruel for the little critters

Just guessing, but she probably felt hurt and rejected. Doesn’t matter how kindly you phrase it, her hopes and wants were built on fragile insecurity in the temperament of turbulent emotions. The slightest breeze of sincerity, no matter how warm, was all it took to break down her shelter of dreams. It left her naked and exposed to the elements of loneliness, within the closed borders of her skull - what chance did your kindness have when the envoys find themselves crashing upon walls, and her ears herald that they must be under attack?

I mean maybe you just said something really wacky but elsewise nah you’re fine

We are all Ken M’s waifu on this blessed day

Thank you. This post has haunted my brain on occasion over the years. I couldn’t remember the person’s reply, just the set-up and the joke. You have released me from my torment for the next two weeks until I forget again.

I’ve been pronouncing it all-e-glucky

“Hey, I was wondering if you could help me figure something out. I was really flattered by your invite the other day, but I’m not interested in dating right now. I enjoy your friendship and I don’t want to jeopardize it. Is there a way we can comfortably set boundaries without ruining that?”

IMO this way you let them know you’re interested in maintaining a relationship but at a friendship level. You demonstrate that you care about their feelings while clearly establishing the need for specific boundaries.