On the usefulness of strictness

When I was in high school, I was such a well-behaved little goody-two-shoes, that it was quite evident that my parents kept me on a really tight leash. (They didn't - I was just naturally that way.) This became useful a small number of critical times. There were a couple of times that I "asked" my parents' permission to do something that I didn't want to do but socially couldn't refuse. (Me on phone: "Let me ask my mom. Mom, can I do X?" Mom:"Sure." Me: "She won't let me." Mom, confused: "Yes, I will." Me: "Yeah, it sucks. Have fun without me." Click. Mom: "You didn't want to do X, did you." Me: "Nope.") This included at one point begging her to ban me from going to a coed sleepover that I didn't particularly care about one way or another, but a good friend really really didn't want to go to because she was in a weird relationship with a guy she was quasi-dating and didn't want to spend the night in his vicinity. My mom didn't actually have a problem with me going to the sleepover, but was willing to play along and forbid me to go, scuttling the plans without anyone being insulted.

It's not the most honest way to get around things, but sometimes it's very convenient.

It's a shame Chuckro keeps me on such a tight leash now. I'm sorry, kind of creepy guy in another department who I just met, I can't go to coffee with you. Makes husband uncomfortable. What can you do?

(Never mind that Chuckro doesn't give a damn if I go out for drinks with my immediate male coworkers fairly often, including one-on-one. He doesn't care, he's not at all a jealous type, and he (rightfully) trusts me. But then, most of my coworkers are awesome people whom I like. And I really, really didn't want to get coffee with this one guy.)