I’m a female member.

Maezawa from the President’s Office here with an answer as well. > For example, should I avoid being too honest and saying things like, “I received offers from X people this month”? Yes, it’s better not to say that. I don’t see any benefit to it. That said, a lie like “I haven’t received any offers at all” would be easy to see through. So rather than giving an exact number, I think it’s better to be vague. For example: “I received a fair number of offers, but our schedules didn’t line up, so I haven’t actually met that many people.” Using phrases like “a fair number” and “not that many” without stating an exact figure seems best. > Since we’re in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic, would men be put off if they found out I was meeting lots of different people and having adult relationships with them? I don’t think many men would focus specifically on the fact that it’s during COVID-19. Even without COVID, many people would feel a little uncomfortable knowing that someone was meeting lots of different people. So I think the best approach is to convey that you do meet other people, but not that many. Some people may want to have you all to themselves. In that case, you could negotiate along the lines of: “I can either continue seeing you while keeping that from you, or I can be honest and say that exclusivity isn’t possible for me. If you’re okay with that, I think you’re wonderful and I’d really like to continue seeing you.” Something like that should work well.

I’m Fuu, a column writer. Thankfully, I’ve been getting a fair number of offers. I think it’s best to leave it at that without giving specific figures. Some people might be put off if you do.

I’m Hikōki, a male member. Men can usually make a rough estimate too—especially when it comes to popular women—so really extreme lies are obvious. It’s safest to keep the number slightly on the low side. For 10–20 inquiries: “Quite a few” (with the nuance of around 6 or 7) For 30 or more: “I got a fair number” (with the nuance of around 10) For 40–50 or more: “I’m already turning down offers—I can’t take any more.”

If you took “don’t lie” literally and told them absolutely everything, I think about half of them would disappear. I think you should adjust how you phrase things depending on how deep your relationship is with each person. That said, if you tell everyone they’re the only one, things may stop adding up, so think it through carefully. Lately, I’ve been thinking that papa-katsu (compensated dating in Japan) actually takes quite a bit of brainpower. I think girls who are successful at papa-katsu are smart. I have no evidence to back that up, though. —Marika

Mak from the Tokyo staff would also like to answer. One thing I can say is that it’s best not to lie. I hope you meet a wonderful man you really click with.

I’m Kazu, a male member. Some people may be put off by it. But if a man makes an offer and meets her through it, he’s no different himself.