"No Time"

This is going to be self-jack content, but I really wanted to express my view on this commonly used reply to invitations. Moreover, Mervert's 29 Jan 2009 post inspired me somewhat to write on this, after having my sentiments locked up. Sorry to those whom I've used this excuse on before =P

"NO TIME"

The all-time favourite and most convenient of rejections, commonly used to great effect and usually, very widely accepted after perhaps some kind of elaboration on why the person has "no time".

People are usually busy, and it would be socially rude to allude to something along the nuances of them being very free actually but just not wanting to make time for your invitation suggestions. That would also make you seem very petty. Thus, "no time", or anything that resembles it in semantics, will do.

Have you ever put aside something to make time for something else because you felt it was really important or because you wanted very much to go for it? Have you ever been scolded for ignoring what you are "supposed" to do to meet someone else or go for some event that may seem ridiculous to others? Have you ever expended all your energy on doing something you genuinely like, but not feeling tired during the event?

I bet you have. And you would never say something like "no time" to any of these things you are interested in, because you would give anything in the world to be able to get in touch with them - because you like them so much.

Of course, people don't always like the people they meet, or the events they are invited to. My point here is that "no time" is a very noticeably lousy excuse for "don't want" or "don't feel like".

If you want to meet that person or do that thing despite having something on hand, you would put aside everything you have at the moment, at least try to finish them up as soon as possible, save up for the event if it is going to be expensive, or even tell everyone else who asked you out that you have "no time". You would plan ahead for that person or event so that you can get all your other seemingly less important stuff out of the way and be able to reach your goal without being irresponsible.

And the list goes on for other crazy stuff that you might do.

"No time" does not always mean that "don't want" or "don't feel like"; I believe that it could be true for about one percent of the time it is said by any person. (You know, absolutes are not exactly possible in this world)

Okay it's late. Going off to bed. Goodbye world!