I don't think a question like #2 has to be destructive, but it seems clear to me that it was here. The comment tossed out an extreme position—"You should just g

I don't think a question like #2 has to be destructive, but it seems clear to me that it was here. The comment tossed out an extreme position—"You should just give it to them on day 1, right?"—and suggested that an executive couldn't even function if vesting was socially expected any time before the contract date. That's hyperbolic, and the "where is the line" question shouldn't be taken in good faith at that point. Constructive engagement usually involves proposing answers, not just asking questions, or at least demonstrating an agreement on some underlying premises. The comment could have said "I can understand the expectation that vesting is right around the corner carries some weight. But surely there's a point where it's too far. It seems clear to me that six months in with six months to go shouldn't be a concern. If someone hasn't been there for a year, do you think two months would be socially problematic?" Maybe it isn't compelling, due to vagueness, but what counts is the social reality—and that's often fuzzy.