I think “No problem honey” is best. Or “Ok cool”, or “Cool. That actually works out great
” Then fall silent & go find something else to do.
It conveys acknowledgment and DGAF and as an added bonus she might wonder what your nonchalant ass was up to after all.
Glassguy’s method is good but will not work necessarily with the most top tier (most sought after) women with tons of options. I get and agree with the philosophy behind it...but when you book a date with some guy who is an unknown quantity (you’ve not met yet) and a couple days later a man you really have an interest in asks you out? Often the unknown quantity gets dropped for the known quantity and that’s dating. I agree if you get to 2 or 3 flakes then yes, low interest, but just bear in mind if a woman is very desirable to you, she is very desirable to others as well. I’ve done it. So the ecosystem she is in and her level of comfort can come into play very early on.
Guru used to advocate double booking for this reason...and then be the guy flaking on one of the double booked dates if both stayed on the line. That’s a power move that worked well for him. I’ve seen a couple of guys I know do it. It gets the girl’s wheels spinning to higher interest if done smoothly.
As far as scheduling and how far in advance you’ll have to gauge that with your schedule and the woman in question. If you are juggling parenting then typically more notice is better. I already have plans next week for Weds., Fri., and Sat. That only leaves Tuesday and Thursday open...but I tend to stay booked between friends, dates, and social engagements, kids stuff, etc.
I get invited to happy hour essentially on the daily...and if I’m not booked on a weekend night then I’ll have various girlfriends, guy friends etc. wanting to get together. A new man asking me out under those circumstances (short notice on a weekend night) is not going to get much traction. I’ve already got too many people vying for my attention...
But if the same man asks me out before my social circle starts blowing me up then I’ll reserve the night for a date....
So just keep in mind popular people are, well, popular...proceed accordingly.
Cheers