Why does Maugham say But I was flattered and was too young to have learned to say no to a woman In The Luncheon Maugham - says But I was flattered and was too young to have learned to say no to a woman to explain why he agreed to meet the lady despite knowing it would cost him more than he could afford Inexperienced At the time the writer was young and inexperienced He lived a simple life in Paris with limited money and had never thought of visiting an expensive restaurant like Foyot s However when the lady praised him by writing a letter he felt special and important Flattered The lady's admiration for his writing boosted his confidence He did not want to disappoint her by saying no As a young man he lacked the maturity and courage to refuse a woman's request politely He was flattered