Oh, of course. It's all relational power dynamics. With this approach, you can always be diplomatic and stop the recruiter from wasting your time further. It's

Oh, of course. It's all relational power dynamics. With this approach, you can always be diplomatic and stop the recruiter from wasting your time further. It's the obvious move in the game to call them on their bluff, as it's a mild form of trying to put you in a box of "this person doesn't fit our requirements, so we can make them a lower offer and say this is why". But as soon as a recruiter starts saying things meant to insult, devalue, or put you on the defensive, that's where you draw the line.