NO is not a bad word. It is an affirmative and confirmation of a direction. I like the word very much, the words I don’t like are “maybe”, “I’ll get back to you” or “I’m not sure”. Yes is equally a good word and for the same reason. Any other response that is not yes or no is often a delay tactic. Of course there are times that we may not have an answer and it is legitimate to say you will respond later but the goal should always be to come back to someone with an affirmation either in the positive or negative. Any other type of answer leaves the other person in limbo and is quite rude if we perpetually keep them in the lurch because we lack the resolution to say “NO” or “YES”. In other words, don’t waste your time or anyone else’s by putting off something that could be answered right away. This is why I say I like to hear NO even if I don’t want it, it gives closure and enables me to move on.
The Metamorphosis of Life 