Dad wants us to take over his shop, but only my sister is interested. How do I say no without undermining her?
Family“You two could run it together,” Dad said, pushing the shop keys across the kitchen table.
He has a small stationery shop and wants to step back next year. My sister is interested in discussing a role. I enjoy visiting, but I don't want to leave my present work to run a shop. Dad heard my “let's talk later” as a possible yes and has started describing it as our joint plan to relatives.
My sister says she isn't asking me to join, but Dad keeps linking our answers: if I won't help, he says she will be doing it alone. I don't know what arrangement she might eventually choose, and I don't want my refusal treated as a verdict on whether she can do it.
We haven't made any business commitments. How do I give Dad a clear answer and leave my sister room to assess her own proposal without carrying my part of his expectation?