Please see my comment earlier about being too honest. Uhg.

very true.... don't say "yes" when you mean "no" to someone and visa versa, you're not sparing their feelings (not that anyone has the right to decide your feelings or you theirs) "I'm an adult Im responsible for my own emotions thank you"....it might seem counterintuitive but it does show respect for the other person, it's also honest open and clear (any good confidence,self esteem and wellbeing courses/group will teach this as standard)

User: "Hello" Me: "What can I do you for?" Saves all that tedious socialising when they just want me to do something !

Normalize answering "generic excuse" when you don't want to meet someone or come to some event.

people want the truth but never want the scars

Online dating. I made it very clear on my profile that I had no desire to date someone with young children/shared custody. Guy#3 was a great fit. We had the same interests and enjoyed our time together. After about 6 weeks he tells me he has 2 sons, aged 6 & 8 and he shares custody with his ex wife. I was furious. Like literally stunned into silence. I guess he thought he was so wonderful that I wouldn't mind. Boy was he wrong. I had a NIGHTMARE experience with my stepchildren (4) and vowed I would never do it again. He told me at dinner one night. I picked up my purse and before walking out said (louldy) "thank you for lying to me and wasting 2 months of my life, you f*cking piece of sh*t".

I can relate to that.