How should I respond to or decline my boss's invitation to drink tea or have dinner if they use the pretext of being friends? Let me give some background: this has actually happened before. My boss said we would talk about work, and at the time, I didn't think much of it and accepted the invitation (it was in the evening, but in a public place). That itself wasn't an issue; what I'm concerned about is that during both invitations, my boss made remarks beforehand that were easily misunderstood and ambiguous. This time was no different. Normally, my boss is very trustworthy and respected by the employees, but I don't want there to be any misunderstandings. How can I politely decline?
You could respond with something like: "Thank you for the kind invitation, but I prefer to keep work and personal life separate. Perhaps we could discuss work-related matters during office hours instead?" This response maintains politeness while setting clear boundaries. It shows respect for your boss while also communicating your preference for professionalism in your interactions.