But in this case, I wanted to make it clear that "we should be allowed to freely ask" a stranger if we can touch their breasts because "they can always say no" only works if no is not a social burden.
Agreed. Some things, you shouldn't have to say no to. Or rather: the mere fact that you're willing to ask certain questions ("May I steal your child?") gives the impression that you're acting under such a different standard of behavior that one's forced to question whether or not you'll accept a No if given one. Even someone who feels no burden at all in saying no might be made nervous by the question.
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branchandroot
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Date: 2008-04-22 08:03 pm (UTC)But in this case, I wanted to make it clear that "we should be allowed to freely ask" a stranger if we can touch their breasts because "they can always say no" only works if no is not a social burden.
Agreed. Some things, you shouldn't have to say no to. Or rather: the mere fact that you're willing to ask certain questions ("May I steal your child?") gives the impression that you're acting under such a different standard of behavior that one's forced to question whether or not you'll accept a No if given one. Even someone who feels no burden at all in saying no might be made nervous by the question.