Emily Vancamp as Sharon Carter in “Captain America: The Winter Soldier”
Here’s an example of what we call a “soft no”. Sharon turns down Steve’s offer in a way that’s meant not to insult him but never actually uses the word “no”.
Steve clearly gets the message, though, and importantly offers to leave her alone. Sharon’s comment afterwards gives him an opportunity to try again later, but he doesn’t press and respects her rejection of his company even though it’s probably hurt his feelings a bit.
Just in case you ever wonder “What would Captain America do?”; there you go.
never do something steve rogers wouldn’t do.
Unless it’s jumping out of a plane without a parachute, you probably shouldn’t do that
I just have to add - I’ve seen interviews with Marvel people where they say that this scene demonstrates that Cap’s awkward with women and doesn’t know how to ask women out on a date. And it drives me crazy, because - as the OP says - Steve behaved perfectly here. It was a very charming, nonthreatening offer, and he accepted her rejection with good grace. You can’t help but feel that to Hollywood, the fact that she said no means he asked badly - which is exactly how I’d expect Hollywood to think, namely, the idea that men should keep pressing and pushing women until they say yes
And I mean, yeah, he’s clearly a little awkward and uncomfortable talking to someone he thinks is attractive, but that’s FINE and he knows how to ask a woman out without making it seem dangerous to turn him down. This is not a failure. It is fine–no, scratch that, it’s GOOD to be a little nervous (or a lot nervous) talking to someone you like, because it means that you recognize them as a person and not just an object. The decent guys who compliment me? They’re nervous, they’re usually genuine in what they say to me (like for example Cap here), they ask from a distance (look how he’s not in her space, he’s down the hall, he’s not using his size or presence to make her feel obliged or intimidated), and they’re generally sweet when I turn them down, willing to take no for an answer. The guys who get violent when I turn them down? They’re cocky, because they’re confident I want to sleep with them just ‘cause I’m a girl.
Just to reiterate: it’s not a failure to be nervous around someone you’re asking out, and this is absolutely an A+ way to go about it. Polite, charming, respectful.
You go, Cap.
(via anacfranco)
