so <insert excuse here> that makes them feel better about rejection. .... Give them some <come back when> that doesn't ruffle them too much.
Do you really think these people are that emotionally fragile?
That they really can't take (let alone appreciate the value of) a simple and straightforward "No", with metrics and reasons?
As in any other context where one hears lines like these --
the only person who's meant to "feel better" after giving excuses like these is the person giving them.
The basic message it conveys is: "We're secure. You're not."
Even so - I find the stance "You're super easily hurt / offended / etc" (or as the above commenter put it, "ruffled") - "and I'm not, so I need to do what's best for both of us, and talk down to you" - to be distasteful, on multiple levels.
Do you really think these people are that emotionally fragile?
That they really can't take (let alone appreciate the value of) a simple and straightforward "No", with metrics and reasons?
As in any other context where one hears lines like these -- the only person who's meant to "feel better" after giving excuses like these is the person giving them.
The basic message it conveys is: "We're secure. You're not."