Skipping the question because you fear rejection doesn't protect your feelings. It removes the other person's choice. True respect means asking directly and giving them a real chance to say no.
So why don't people just ask, can I kiss you, instead of going for it? Fear of rejection. Now, that is one of the major reasons. You're 100% correct. Think about what somebody's thinking when they say, I'm not going to ask because they might say no. That means what they're thinking when they're with you is, I'm not going to give you a choice because you might exercise it. So I'm just going to do it to you. By the way, if that sounds awful, just say awful. Awful. Because it is. I'm not going to give you a choice because you might say no. So I'm not going to let you.
