Lily S asked:


A few days ago, a classmate said that she made jewelry and asked me to buy one from her. Well, I said I’ll take a look at them if she would bring them to school. I was expecting jewelry made from beads, or maybe bracelets braided together. I wasn’t expecting to show me a wrist band made out of paper that she decorated using markers.

Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m not appalled by her drawing skills or anything. It’s just that I’m an art student, and her bracelet wasn’t that appealing. When she asked me if I would buy it, I couldn’t think fast enough (I couldn’t say “No, I don’t like it” or simply “No, I won’t buy it” because that would be rude), so I just stalled and said, “Sure, if I bring money tomorrow.”

She’s not really a friend. I met her for only a week or so, so we’re acquaintances. But I don’t really want to buy the bracelet. Is there some clever way to back out of this if she asks me tomorrow, without hurting her feelings?