Comment by Too

What I dislike about guess culture in certain individuals, is when they turn it around into a blackmailing, paint you into a corner, culture.

You know, you get a innocent text from a friend: Any plans this weekend? No other context around the question...

Answer no and you might miss out on a party invitation. Answer yes and they implicitly assume that you are free to help their cousins friends uncle to move boxes whole day, often phrased with yes as the only viable answer.

It’s not that I wouldn’t like to help a good friend in need, but it’s not like “no plans” means I’m totally free of their disposal either, my weekend is my weekend. Stop beating around the bush, give the context up front, allow a way out of the question that doesn’t become super awkward for both parties.