Too...

Techniques > Resisting persuasion > Too...

Method | Example | Discussion | See also

Method

Too much, too late, too expensive, too far, too easy, too difficult, too heavy, too busy, etc.

Sorry, it's just too bad.

Whatever they say, it's just too something, which puts it clearly outside my selection criteria. Tough luck, old chap, as they say.

Example

I don't have time now. Sorry, you're too late and I'm too busy.

That's far too expensive for what I'd get.

Hmm. That's just too much.

Discussion

Being 'too' something indicates that something was possible but is outside the limits. This is softer than a flat 'no' and lets the other person down gently by giving a message along the lines of 'sorry, but you've just missed it'. It can also be a signal to allow the other person to move their position within the your criteria.

You can tighten your criteria up on either side, for example very shortly after something is too early, it is too late. This gives them a very narrow band for success and makes resistance easy.