But even aliased my lips are sealed.

Sometimes playing dumb is better than trying to appear to be smart.

I forget who said it (Sam Rayburn, once Senate President, maybe) but the saying is:

"You can keep your mouth shut and let people wonder if you're dumb; or open your mouth and remove all lingering doubt."

If your endeavor involves getting information of value, then not attempting to be the brightest penny around works great. As soon as one tries to demonstrate their brilliance, most people around them clam up.

I had a provider call me last minute and tell me her incall was not available for some dumb excuse, the dog ate her keys or something so stupid I can't even remember.

She asked if we could meet at the "do drop in" cheap motel not far from the major airport in town, just off skid row. The deal was presented as this, She would now have to charge me her travel outcall rate (another $50) and I would have to reimburse her for the room which she said would be another $100. I quickly looked up the hotel on line, all the rooms were $39. I was tempted to call her bluff, but thought better of the whole situation and just e-mailed her with the hotel link attached showing the $39 rate and said goodbye.

i am afraid that some readers might be interpreting this thread as applying to them.... i tend to get into trouble that way. it's not a very interesting story so i hesitated to post it.

the situation i had in mind was recently brought up in an email exchange. it involved a couple of encounters (unreviewed) early last year. during the first there was some small talk about who might be good for me to see and she recommended a friend who i had already made arrangements to visit. i made no comment, playing dumb.

the second encounter happened and in small talk she asked if i had seen the first. i played a dumb again and asked "should i" and upon hearing "yes" still played dumb about the visit already having happened.

usually i am pretty open and clear so this cageyiness felt uncomfortable. i had the feeling that i was being screened for ability to keep my mouth shut.

i can comfortably do so on request. but i am more comfortable sharing information to manage mutual risks.

while not _wild_ successes the two visits were promising except for the discomfort cited and some small issues. but i haven't tried to repeat with them.