I typically am more direct re: 1) and it's worked well so far: "Let me give that a bit of thought." Yes, it's followed by silence - but the only person who wi

I typically am more direct re: 1) and it's worked well so far: "Let me give that a bit of thought." Yes, it's followed by silence - but the only person who will be uncomfortable with that is you, if you let yourself be. Personally I'm using that silence to actually think about the question, so there's no discomfort or awkwardness.