A recent article in the Wall Street Journal by Elizabeth Bernstein discussed how people use the word maybe and the negative message that it sends.  According to the article, maybe has become a weasel word that people use to avoid commitments or delay decisions.  For example, if someone invites you to a party and you say yes, if you don’t show, you’ve broken a promise.  On the other hand, if you say maybe and don’t show, supposedly you haven’t broken a promise–plus, you still have the option of attending if you choose.  The problem, however, is that the person on the receiving end of the word maybe doesn’t see it that way.  Some see it as a way for the sender to buy some time in case a better opportunity comes along or until they find out who else is attending.  Others interpret the word maybe as a cowardly way for the sender to decline their invitation without having to tell them no directly.  All this sends a very clear message to the person making the request that they’re not very important which can deal a serious blow to a relationship.  So the next you consider using the word maybe to respond to a request, take a few moments and think about what message you’ll be sending.  Maybe there’s a more appropriate response.