If you’re on the receiving end, your best move is to take the request seriously. That doesn’t mean you agree to unlimited waiting. It means you shift from “push for an answer” to “understand the pace they need and set a reasonable check-in.”
Start by asking what “not rushed” looks like. Is it days or weeks? Is it about a specific decision or the overall direction? Then offer a practical next step: a time to talk, a deadline for an update, or a plan that reduces uncertainty.
Finally, avoid turning their boundary into a personal insult. When someone asks for time, it’s usually about readiness—not rejection. But you still deserve clarity, and so does the other person.
Reply examples that keep things respectful
- Clarifying: “Okay—what timeline feels realistic for you, Katie?”
- Compromising: “I can wait. Can we check in on Tuesday and decide how we move from there?”
- Assuring: “I’m not trying to pressure you. I just want to understand what you need to feel comfortable.”
