Ammo library
Accepting 'Can't Promise Right Now'
Severity 2Method disciplineStep 9
Accepts the common bystander dodge 'I can't make you a promise right now' without pressing declaration, or softens step 9 after they use it.
The give pair
Gives ammo
Non-vegan: 'I can't make you a promise right now.' Activist: 'That's fair, take your time.'
Gives nothing
I hear you, this isn't about promising me. You said humans should respect animals. Vegan from now on?
The round they fire back
Uses 'I can't make you a promise right now' to seem honest while refusing commitment, common with bystanders who won't declare.
How to fix it
When they say they can't promise you right now: this isn't about promising you personally. They already agreed humans should respect animals, continuing to exploit is the real broken commitment. Press: live vegan from now on?
Coaching notes
- Bystanders often say: I can't make you a promise right now, don't accept it.
- Reframe: not a promise to you, accountability to their victims and to what they already agreed.
- If they won't declare, they already lied when they agreed to respect animals while exploiting.
Related lessons
- Can't make you a promise right now Working the flowchart