# What Are You Doing Next Tuesday? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [August 24, 2013, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-you-doing-next-tuesday/667017 "2013-08-24T00:29:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![LMarie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c68b51/32.png) [@LMarie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LMarie)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2013, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-you-doing-next-tuesday/667017/41 "2013-08-25T21:17:07Z")
> [@Lanzy](#): > > All I ever say is a simple…“why?” I have enjoyed everyone’s replies so much. After reading them all, it boils down to a simple “Why?” for me, too. ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Mondegreen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/91b2a8/32.png) [@Lord\_Mondegreen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Mondegreen)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2013, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-you-doing-next-tuesday/667017/42 "2013-08-26T01:32:52Z")
> [@Prof.Pepperwinkle](#): > > “Whatever Madame Pepperwinkle has planned.” Along the same lines, if asked by someone who knows me well enough I just say, “I haven’t been informed yet.” They understand. 🙂 If it’s someone I know less well, it’s usually, “Not sure. Why?” ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2013, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-you-doing-next-tuesday/667017/43 "2013-08-26T01:55:42Z")
Working till 2:00 and then 9 holes of golf. Same as every Tuesday in the summer, Pinky. ---
**Author:** ![nion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/c5a1d2/32.png) [@nion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nion)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2013, 4:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-you-doing-next-tuesday/667017/44 "2013-08-26T04:28:15Z")
I’m assuming I’m not the only one that answered the topic in their head. For the record, I am working. I’ll also be exercising after work as always. That particular day is an “opposite” day, wherein I lead off weight lifting exercises with my left hand versus my right. Also, I have no life. ---
**Author:** ![Maastricht](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a88e57/32.png) [@Maastricht](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maastricht)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2013, 4:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-you-doing-next-tuesday/667017/45 "2013-08-26T04:35:54Z")
From Miss Manners: “Whatcha doing on Thursday?” “Oh, I dunno. Coupla things I oughta be doing. How 'bout you?” ---
**Author:** ![Ranger\_Jeff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranger_jeff/32/2065_2.png) [@Ranger\_Jeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranger_Jeff)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2013, 5:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-you-doing-next-tuesday/667017/46 "2013-08-26T05:32:33Z")
“Tuesday? I’m washing my hair. Or baking a cake. Or I’ve got an arms deal in Tangiers. I don’t remember which.” ---
**Author:** ![FallFast](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ba9def/32.png) [@FallFast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FallFast)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2013, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-you-doing-next-tuesday/667017/47 "2013-08-26T19:31:09Z")
> [@Lynn\_Bodoni](#): > > Learn to say “No, I don’t think I’ll be able to do that for you. Find another sucker.” These two sentences can save you a world of grief. And the people who are offended by them are people who need a slap upside the head. This, many many Xs. I have no problem saying “no”. I am polite but I will say no. Just because somebody else doesn’t want to do something, or needs help doing something, I will say no if I don’t want to do it. The look on peoples faces sometimes is priceless. They never expect somebody to say no when they feel they are trapping you into something you don’t want to do. Then there are times I will say yes if I want to help or do whatever they are bringing up. I don’t have people playing these games with me anymore. They will just straight up ask me and they know I will answer honestly and quickly. I hate games. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2013, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-you-doing-next-tuesday/667017/48 "2013-08-26T19:51:04Z")
That would immediately put you on my “do I really want to hang out with you at all?” list. I don’t need a game of twenty questions. I want two things from people: Ask me directly and take “no” for an answer; i.e. You: Do you want to go to the 8:00 showing of _this movie_ on Tuesday. My answer will either be “sure,” “can’t make it then, is another time good for you” or “no.” ---
**Author:** ![The\_Devil\_s\_Grandmother](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/74df32/32.png) [@The\_Devil\_s\_Grandmother](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Devil_s_Grandmother)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2013, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-you-doing-next-tuesday/667017/49 "2013-08-26T19:56:22Z")
> [@Lynn\_Bodoni](#): > > Learn to say “No, I don’t think I’ll be able to do that for you. Find another sucker.” These two sentences can save you a world of grief. And the people who are offended by them are people who need a slap upside the head. I need to put this on a card to keep in my wallet. ---
**Author:** ![CanvasShoes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/74df32/32.png) [@CanvasShoes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CanvasShoes)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2013, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-you-doing-next-tuesday/667017/50 "2013-08-26T20:34:22Z")
Smile and say “I don’t know, why”? But it depends upon who it is asking of course. If it’s friends, family or friendly coworkers, that’s probably going to be my answer, said in an open friendly way that, if they have fun plans in mind, I may be interested. If it’s like an IRS agent or something? I’m booked solid 'til at least after Christmas. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2013, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-you-doing-next-tuesday/667017/51 "2013-08-26T20:41:17Z")
> [@LMarie](#): > > Am I the only one who feels put on the spot by questions like this? The person asking doesn’t give any sort of clue about what they’re leading up to, but you just know that if you say you don’t have any plans, they’re going to try to rope you into something that you may not want to attend. I find this to just be rude and much prefer people to flat out extend an invitation without mining for information about my calendar first. > > Anyone have a stock answer for this one? I usually reply that I don’t know and will have to look at my calendar, but it always feels awkward. Got anything better? Unless it is my wife asking, I refuse as a matter of policy to answer questions like that with anything other than “Why do you ask?” ---
**Author:** ![ZenBeam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/3ab097/32.png) [@ZenBeam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZenBeam)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2013, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-you-doing-next-tuesday/667017/52 "2013-08-26T21:58:27Z")
> [@Maastricht](#): > > From Miss Manners: > > “Whatcha doing on Thursday?” > “Oh, I dunno. Coupla things I oughta be doing. How 'bout you?” Oh I like this. Or maybe “There’s a coupla things …”, so you don’t feel bad if you don’t _actually_ do them. ---
**Author:** ![48Willys](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/4/db5fbb/32.png) [@48Willys](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/48Willys)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2013, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-you-doing-next-tuesday/667017/53 "2013-08-27T17:48:16Z")
I Stop what I am doing and stare at them for a few seconds. Then I glower at them as I ask Why? Most of my friends know to ask me outright what it is they want. Every now and again I slip up and answer this question truthfully. If, after finding out that I have nothing important going on, they then ask me to do something I do not want to do, I say NO! If it is something that I would enjoy doing, I agree to it. If it is something I do not care one way or the other about, then I say no. (I do not reward bad behavior). I then explain to them that I would prefer them to just ask me outright. Do not beat around the bush, just ask. ---
**Author:** ![Ellen\_Cherry](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellen_cherry/32/3600_2.png) [@Ellen\_Cherry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellen_Cherry)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2013, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-you-doing-next-tuesday/667017/54 "2013-08-27T18:54:23Z")
I usually say, “I don’t know! What’s going on?” like a deer in the headlights. It’s the truth 99% of the time. I have _so_ much going on, always, I do have to look at the calendar to find out what I’m doing, who I have to pick up or drop off, or where I’m expected to be. Fortunately, most people who are asking me this question are doing it not to trap me. I would have gone postal on the church coffee woman though! What nerve. ---
**Author:** ![AnaMen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dfb087/32.png) [@AnaMen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AnaMen)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2013, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-you-doing-next-tuesday/667017/55 "2013-08-27T19:28:24Z")
What nerve asking someone to help out with some coffee pots at church? What religion tells you to be stingy with your time and effort? Why are you even there, just in hopes of lunch invitations? ---
**Author:** ![Ellen\_Cherry](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellen_cherry/32/3600_2.png) [@Ellen\_Cherry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellen_Cherry)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2013, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-you-doing-next-tuesday/667017/56 "2013-08-27T19:49:00Z")
It was nervy for them to ask what they’re doing after church, giving the impression that they might be asking the couple to lunch, THEN to drop it on them that they were then free to take a task that the nervy person had agreed to. At no time was the other couple nicely asked if they could help. It makes all the difference in the world. ---
**Author:** ![AnaMen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dfb087/32.png) [@AnaMen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AnaMen)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2013, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-you-doing-next-tuesday/667017/57 "2013-08-27T19:56:49Z")
The nervy person is the one standing around DRINKING of the COFFEE, but thinking they should never have to participate in the clean-up or help out a fellow church member who can’t cover their chore this week. ---
**Author:** ![AnaMen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dfb087/32.png) [@AnaMen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AnaMen)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2013, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-you-doing-next-tuesday/667017/58 "2013-08-27T20:02:10Z")
And if the askee was expecting a lunch invitation, why is that the asker’s fault? The asker said “would you be willing to…” which seems sufficiently “nice” and is obviously “asking.” If you can’t be bothered to wash out some coffee pots, which you personally just partook of coffee from, at _church_ no less, you might want to look a bit closer to home for the problem. ---
**Author:** ![FallFast](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ba9def/32.png) [@FallFast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FallFast)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2013, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-you-doing-next-tuesday/667017/59 "2013-08-27T20:04:41Z")
Maybe, but more likely the nervy person is the person who originally agreed to help clean up afterwards and then decided they don’t want to and are looking for chump to do the work for them. The person they asked could have done all the prep setup work before hand. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2013, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-you-doing-next-tuesday/667017/60 "2013-08-27T20:10:21Z")
> [@AnaMen](#): > > The nervy person is the one standing around DRINKING of the COFFEE, but thinking they should never have to participate in the clean-up or help out a fellow church member who can’t cover their chore this week. [QUOTE=2 Starbucks 3:12] Drinketh not of the urn if thou shalt not have bringeth washing up supplies and nondairy creamer. [/QUOTE] … [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-you-doing-next-tuesday/667017.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-you-doing-next-tuesday/667017.md?page=4)