Rich M, why does "no" have to be curt? To me, saying no can be the most polite thing some one can say to me. I can't stand it when people offer a negotiation e.g " I'm not sure but perhaps......." when really they mean "no". It is a waste of my time and their's when this ambiguity can lead to misunderstandings. To a certain extent saying no can be an extremely honest act. I may be strange or naive but I do tend to take what people say at face value and I get fustrated / angry / upset / narked when they say things they truly don't mean. "No" is only a negative reply, not sentiment. There is no real need to cushion this response in most conversations. I think people should feel able to be honest enough to use the word / statement in its proper place.

TTFN M'Lady P.