Yes, No, Maybe – Translated

Even better is: “Hell, yes!” We love authentic, enthusiastic, eager consent!
Do not say “yes” if you are not sure. Tell them you aren’t sure, then invite them to keep talking if you are open to considering a proposed activity.

ONE exception: If people have explicitly agreed to change that word for purposes of a specific scene. For example, someone wants to have a more primal scene and they negotiate to be able to scream “No! Stop it, you monster!”, etc. In a case like that, they explicitly agree to replace “no” with a safe word/gesture/action instead, so they can use “no,” “stop,” etc., freely in the scene. But the meaning of the word “no” is only altered during the specific time frame that is outlined in negotiations. During a negotiation, “no” always means no.
Accept a “no” gracefully. Don’t badger them or make them defend their answer. That is a slippery slope to coercion.
“Totally fine. Is there something you would be interested in trying?”
“I appreciate you considering it. I hope you have a great evening (or party)!”

With a “maybe”, they may be leaving the door open to be asked again some other time, but they might just be trying to not be rude by shutting you down entirely. We try to help people gain the confidence to just say what they really mean, but not everyone is comfortable with that.
If you get a “maybe” try saying this: “I am going to take that as a ‘no’ for tonight. I am still interested though, so feel free to reach out if you change your mind. Would you mind if I asked you again some other time, or would you prefer I not?”
This gives them the comfort of seeing you take their answer gracefully, which may make them feel better about the whole idea. But it also gives them a graceful way to change that “maybe” to a “no” smoothly in a way that is safer, emotionally speaking. If they ask you to not ask them later, they really meant “no” all along. Thank them for their honesty and move along.