If someone says, "If I asked you out, what would you say?"

[Anonymous]

While talking to a guy I met recently, a friend of mine mentioned to him that a different man had asked me out earlier that day. The guy I was talking to wanted to know if I turned the other guy down or not (I had), then asked me what I would say if he asked me out somewhere. I sort of made a joke out of it and didn't answer him directly, because I assumed he wasn't being serious. However, other people I mentioned this conversation to said the only reason he'd ask something like that was if he was interested and was trying to test the waters. Is that true?

[DutchAtheist]

Of course he wanted to ask you out.

First off, only gays and men that are interested in dating you care about other guys asking you out.

Second, why would anyone take the risk of either being rejected or accepted as a date he's not really interested?

Nice move with the joke, now he thinks your answer is no and you wanted to let him down easy.

[Asker]

I feel really silly now, but I appreciate the blunt answer. Not sure if I like him, but if I do, I think I'll just ask him out next time. Thanks.

[Crazyfuncat]

Sounds like he probably like you. I wouldn't ask that to someone I'm not at least a little interested in.

[Anonymous]

I think he was trying to gauge your interest if he were to ask you out.

[Asker]

That's what the people I asked this in real life said, too. Thanks!

[Konnour]

It means "I want to know the answer before actually asking you out"

[Asker]

If that's the case, would an indirect answer be perceived as a no?

[Konnour]

Well.. there wasn't a "yes" though, so...

[kheserthorpe]

Its not the only reason. Its a likely one, however.

[Asker]

Could it be possible he just wanted an ego boost? That's sort of what I had assumed.

[kheserthorpe]

Sure, its -possible-, but more often when people ask that, the reason is that they're interested.

[Asker]

Ha, now I feel silly for being so oblivious at the time. Thank you!

[Anonymous]

Yes