Yeah, most people would say it with a laugh and then explain or say something like "I don't think I'll have enough time for that along with xyz other projects."

Yeah, most people would say it with a laugh and then explain or say something like "I don't think I'll have enough time for that along with xyz other projects." Of course, the employee didn't understand that, and just answered the question at face value. It wasn't an issue of what he said but how.