Why are so many people unable to say NO?

Answer 1

Well, while Miss Interpret is sometimes right, it could be a variety of things.
Maybe they feel guilty for saying "no."
Maybe they are afraid that "something" won't get done, if they say "no."
No one wants to disappoint others. No one want to feel like they are selfish, either.
It depends on "What" they can't say "no" about.
If it is to their friends who keep making bad decisions, then, maybe they are having a hard time standing up to them. Maybe confrontation is difficult and or maybe they want the approval of these friends, so much, that they will compromise either their health or at least their good judgement.
But, sometimes people can't say "no" to organizations and groups woh ask them to do things. They feel like they should, despite their desire to just say "no."
Sometimes people don't realize that saying "no" is healthy.
There are also people who want to see how much they can juggle at once. THere are people who want to be involved in absolutely everything. If it is unhealthy for your family, yourself mentally or emotionally, then, you should help the person cut down on their projects and maybe help them to find others who might take over for them. But, that individual person has to decide if they want to say "no." Then, they can practice saying it, then have them do it and see that the activity gets done, even when they do have to say "no."

Answer 2

They haven't allowed themselves to say it! Believe it or not, birth order and gender have a lot to do with this issue. As children, we are all looking for what I call the "good stuff" --meaning love and acceptance. We learn in a sibling group, a subliminal message on how to "get the good stuff". For example the oldest child generally learns that to get the love and acceptance they desire, they have to be responsible and set a good example for the younger children. The youngest child's subliminal message may be that they have to always look cute to get love and affection. This subliminal message continues subconsciously throughout that person's life even though they are unaware of it. This translates in adulthood often as the inability to say "no" cause the person risks not getting the love and acceptance they still need or did not get as a child. In the study of birth order it is surprising to see how many CEO's and leaders of industry were eldest children and how many actresses etc. were the baby of their birth families.

I guess what it all boils down to, is we always want and need love and acceptance and a lot of people don't say no hoping to get it. (Statistics show women tend have this trait much more than men. They are taught to be loving and nurturing of others so then tend to put themselves last.)

Answer 3

Because they are insecure and fear rejection.

They think they need to go along with everyone else because they have no confidence in their own mind. Somewhere along the line they were told that their opinion or thoughts were not important, and they believed it because they were either a child or in a vulnerable state of mind.

Another type of person who can't say no, is the type that hates confrontation, and finds it less stressful to just agree or go with the flow. These types are usually peace-loving and consider confrontation extremely stressful. To say 'NO' is to invite possible confrontation - they avoid it like the plague.

Some people just had resistance beaten out of them, either verbally or physically. They have become robots and do not think for themselves.

Either way - saying NO is important and it's a shame that many cannot use it.

Answer 4

This isn't as big a problem as many say it is....in fact....it is a good thing, if it does not get out of control. It allows for people helping eachother and assisting others in their lives.

We are taught, at a very early age, that we should share and help others. If this lesson sticks with us, it follows that we would continue this attitude throughout our lives. And saying 'no' just goes against that.

Surely, there are those who are co-dependent - people who have a desperate need to be liked and admired and appreciated. And those people are almost pathological in their desire to help others. Often, the word 'yes' comes out of their mouth unwittingly, and they find themselves spending their lives facilitating the wishes of others.

But frankly, I'm happy to live in a world where people are not selfish and uncaring toward others.

Answer 5

Lack of self esteem. We all want to be liked and think people will not like us if we say no so we try to dress it up and make excuses when really it's much easier in the long run to bite the bullet and just come out with it Trouble is it takes a lot of us half a lifetime or more to learn to do it.

Answer 6

Yes

Answer 7

They are so hungry for affirmation and approval that they think they have to be all things to all people (codependent.) Either that or they are so competitive they can't stand anyone else to get the kudos!

Answer 8

NO. See it is so easy. But no to what ?
No, I cannot lend you my pen.
No, you cannot park in two spaces.
No, you cannot owe people's money.
No, you are not allowed to buy lottery.
No, you cannot have side income.
No, you cannot give your money to your children who have their own jobs.
No, you cannot have a promotion because you are just not worth it.

Answer 9

I think it's down to work ethics these days - we simply aren't allowed to in the workplace. With that being the case, it's harder to say 'no' anywhere.

Answer 10

Maybe they don't want to make others sad and because they don't have a strong character. That makes them be serves from the others.