What is the best reason to omit the reason for the refusal in a negative message?

A. The reader may not think of the reason.
B. The reason reflects poorly on the company.
C. The reason benefits the reader, but not the writer.
D. The reason is watertight.

I'll be glad to check your answer.

I disagree.

What does your book say?

Okay after reading again I am saying the answer is C

OK. My preference is B, but your book's answer is probably best.

I agree , it is B.

The best reason to omit the reason for the refusal in a negative message is B. The reason reflects poorly on the company.

When delivering a negative message, such as refusing a request or denying a claim, it is sometimes beneficial to omit the reason for the refusal in order to maintain a positive image of the company. Even if the reason is watertight (D), it may still reflect negatively on the company or its policies, which can harm customer satisfaction or brand reputation.

Choosing not to provide the reason (B) avoids any potential negative implications that could arise from disclosing an unfavorable rationale. It allows the company to maintain a more professional and polite tone, which may be more desirable in certain situations.

Options A (The reader may not think of the reason) and C (The reason benefits the reader, but not the writer) are not the best reasons to omit the reason. In some cases, providing the reason can be helpful for the reader, as it helps them understand the decision-making process and potentially find alternative solutions. It also allows transparency and builds trust between the company and its customers. However, when the reason reflects poorly on the company, it is often best to omit it.