"The validity of the real-life situation for men is even more debatable. Women requesting outright casual sex from an attractive stranger are probably a rare event. How might men deal with such a rare event? We do not want to imply that such a request does not coincide with men’s desire to engage in casual sex. However, this rare event appears to be more complex. A slightly unattractive to moderately attractive woman who needs just two sentences to request sex from an attractive stranger probably worked up all her courage and risks a situation that makes her vulnerable to reputational damage. Perhaps some of the men’s compliance with the “bed” request was partly determined by the motive not to offend her. These considerations also might explain why men who rejected the “bed” request felt obligated to offer apologies such as “I’m married” or “I’m going with someone” (Clark and Hatfield 1989:52)."