“Maybe means no.” If you're dating somebody and it feels like a “maybe,” the answer is no. If you get an invitation to something and you’re just not sure, the answer is no. Whenever you say “yes” to something, you should say it with gusto, and say “no” to anything that doesn't feel quite right.
I get your general point but I fear it's a bit too broad. I have dozens of examples where people were unenthusiastic or clear maybes. One fellow I convinced, through some cajouling, to go mountain biking with me. It was his last day up at college and he wasn't going anywhere where there was good biking. I finally convinced him and he loved it. So much so that he went to great lengths to keep riding and ended up meeting his fantastic wife through the sport. At the wedding he thanked me for not letting him say no.
Or the person who was contemplating suicide. Living wasn't an enthusiastic yes.... but he's still around and back on his feet.
Or the girl I pulled away from studying to go for a hike. She was down and miserable and didn't want to do anything. At some point during our adventure she opened up and shared that she was in an abusive relationship and the guy was controlling her. Not accepting a maybe and not letting her 'declutter' her choatic life from this event help get her the support she needed to get out of that relationship.
I get your general point but I fear it's a bit too broad. I have dozens of examples where people were unenthusiastic or clear maybes. One fellow I convinced, through some cajouling, to go mountain biking with me. It was his last day up at college and he wasn't going anywhere where there was good biking. I finally convinced him and he loved it. So much so that he went to great lengths to keep riding and ended up meeting his fantastic wife through the sport. At the wedding he thanked me for not letting him say no.
Or the person who was contemplating suicide. Living wasn't an enthusiastic yes.... but he's still around and back on his feet.
Or the girl I pulled away from studying to go for a hike. She was down and miserable and didn't want to do anything. At some point during our adventure she opened up and shared that she was in an abusive relationship and the guy was controlling her. Not accepting a maybe and not letting her 'declutter' her choatic life from this event help get her the support she needed to get out of that relationship.
agreed that it's quite a context-dependent subject. it's also relative. there's no absolute yes - someone's maybe might be someone else's hell yes/no.