Be more like @evilbart24‼️

Is giving a false number an attempt at lessening the impact of rejection versus just saying "not interested" and walking away, or is it a safety thing?

Just assume instead of making sure the thought is right.

Safety

You never know how a rejection will be taken so it’s definitely part safety. It also gives plausible deniability if they pursue you further (that starts skirting the safety concern)

Why can't it be both?

If you're not sure, then take the hint and leave them tf alone.

Oh I'm not asking for myself. I don't bother people.

I don't think there's any harm in reading it back incorrectly, so long as you take the hint and fuck off if they don't correct you. If they do correct you, maybe they were more interested than you thought.

That said, just give them your number instead. That way, both of you know it's correct (because who gives out a fake number unsolicited?), they know you're interested (because you took the initiative), and they can decide to do what they want to with that information.

You’re presenting borderline psychotic entitlement to another human with logic. It won’t stick.

Safety. If nothing else it buys time to escape from his general vicinity.

this isn't always the case..

perfect example; I witnessed someone hit someone else's car in a parking lot. they saw me see them and asked what they should do. I told them wait, or leave a note with number/plate, explanation etc..

they opted for the note. I sneakily took a photo of them and their plate because I don't trust people and I waited in the lot for the one who was hit to come back.

sure enough, they note that was left was missing 1 number. forwarded the pictures to the owner and he was able to find the actual driver through that/police.

this is obviously an off circumstance and I do overall agree a fake number means f-off, but sometimes it shouldn't mean that.

You know, I was going to argue against this, except something similar actually did happen to me. I don’t really recommend reading it incorrectly back though, that’s like trying to call someone out for being uninterested and possibly concerned with their own safety. Just show your phone to verify if you really want.

Met a girl at a bar, made out at said bar then got her number. I texted her but never received a reply, so I moved on. Met her again a few months later and she was so upset I didn’t text her! Not like crying upset, but the silly “omg why didn’t you text me?!” I showed her that I had texted and she said I got the number wrong. Corrected that and made out with her again lol It didn’t go anywhere, but she was my first real big crush on another woman.

Edit: changed flow because I want to emphasize that reading someone’s phone number incorrectly to verify if it’s real is creepy behavior. Unless it’s specifically for something nonromantic.

I'd just call it so she'd have mine too without even considering it's a fake number.

Although I'm actually capable of accepting no as an answer, so getting a fake number would be a huge blow to my confidence.

I guess there's a reason why I met my wife online.

Jfc the entitlement

I've given out a fake number unsolicited. It was a way to get rid of a pest. "Look, I'm really sorry, I have to head off right now, but here's my number."

They think they've "scored". I get out without a scene. Win-win. (Well, until they try calling it.)

Safety. It's incredible how much of a scene an alarming number of men will make if you refuse to give a number, and there will be a non-zero proportion of those who are thugs.

Oh, you live somewhere you can formalize your union? It's nice to live in a jurisdiction that blesses gay marriages. It's so civilized.

What are you talking about?

I'm a 6 foot tall trans woman. I tell them no and if they have a problem I start loudly talking in a deep voice.

You have a wife. You are posting in a women only group. (Rule #1.) This suggests a lesbian relationship. If I erred, so did you by posting here.

Nice story, but not for this group. Rule #1.