05 Sep 2010, 7:20 am
I think your dad might be feeling a little lonely/rejected/awkward. Asking 5 times if you want to play cribbage... that's the human equivalent of a puppy pawing at your leg whilst looking at you with huge black eyes....
This doesn't apply for everyone, but in your dad's case, I think if he asks more than once, take it to mean 'please say yes'
Another tactic might be 'no, I just had a glass of water a few minutes ago, but thanks [smile]'. Offer an explanation and act grateful for the offer itself. That way it won't feel like a rejection to him.
Just an added bit of useless info; in China (and other Asian cultures) it's rude to accept something straight out (like a present); if you say yes, you're seen as rude and greedy, so you say no. Then the other person offers again. And again, the polite thing to do is to say no.
It's generally accepted that if they offer a third time, you can take it, though some might still gossip anyway.
So yeah, it could be a lot worse 
