I have a friend who talks about a certain book a lot. He loves it. He rereads it, like, once a year. Well, I told him I didn't know what I wanted to read next, and he, of course, recommended this book. I said I'd look into it, and eventually I found a copy. I told him I found it and he said all kinds of things like "Oh, it's really great," and "It's one of my favourites," and "You might not like it because you're probably too young to really get it."
Waittaminute, what? If I don't like it, it's because I'm too young to get it? (I'm 21, and he's 52.)
That doesn't sound very appealing. I probably won't like it because I'm too young and stupid to understand it, and if I don't like it I'll be criticized and talked down to. Yeah, sounds like a real hoot. I can't wait to read it now.
I told him I wasn't going to read it until he promised not to talk down to me if I didn't like it. He's a stubborn old fool and he refuses to just say it. All I want is for my opinion to be respected. That's not too much to ask. Oh, well. There are other books. Plus, he wants me to read it more than I want to read it. Sucker.
Anyway, have you ever had problems getting someone to commit to something really simple and easy? Maybe something that they should do anyway, without promising it?