.. it's not a highly successful strategy. More of a Hail Mary, really.
It's not uncommon: I'm talking to a POT who really seems to check all my boxes and she says I've checked all her boxes as well, but we are misaligned by a country mile on allowance.
At some point she will toss a number at me, say $1200 per date. I just know we are too far apart, and even though it's painful to walk away so far into the process, I just say something like this:
"Thanks for that. Sadly it's just not in my budget. I'm sure you will find what you need, but it doesn't look like it will be with me as my budget is much closer to xxx. Good luck in your search. You deserve to be happy."
That is probably the kindest "Fuck no!" she will ever get. LOL
1. It has the appearance of validating her ask in the short term, but in the long term she will see more clearly.
2. It gives her a graceful exit with no drama
3. It keeps you in the "good guy" category since you say she "deserves to be happy."
4. It starts her down the path of realization that her ask is just plain unreasonable - at least on this site.
One of three things will happen:
1. She will leave, perhaps with a thank you, or perhaps by blocking you.
OR
2. She will come back with a counter offer much closer to you xxx value.
OR
3. She will complete #1, but may reach out again in a day, week, or even a few months and will ask if you are still open to meeting for value xxx.
Either way, it gets you out of the GPS zone trying to internally justify more allowance than you can comfortably offer. And it frees up your time to connect with other POT's.
Life is good
The Cat