Observation

Hmm...something which I’ve noticed is a habit of some people, my ownself included.

That is the preferred use of phrases like:
“I might be..”
“I maybe…”
“Perhaps…”

Over phrases like:
“I can…”
“I will be able to…”
“I should be able to…”

I’ll name such phrases in the foremost category as “non-committal” & “non-conclusive” and the one in the latter category as “committed” and “conclusive”.

So why do people prefer the first category? Simply because such statements leave you room and breathing space to be able to turn-tail and flee if the situation calls for it. Am not exactly sure how to pen down my thoughts.

Something like…using such non-committal statements allows you to keep your options open and entitles yourself to more choices by not committing yourself to anything too concrete. For example…“I might be joining you guys for dinner…but then again, I might not be, see how it goes.”

What do you call this? Defensiveness? Protecting yourself? So that you can squirrel away and fly your friends’ kite without feeling too much guilt? (I didn’t commit to joining you guys mah…so I’m allowed to not feel guilty..)