[Oh, you may just be asking the wrong person, Nick.]

I don't think there's any real way to know for sure, no formula or secret password. Sometimes you just have to risk it. Sometimes you just have to be strong enough to deal with it if you're wrong.

[There might be a particular emphasis on 'deal with it' that lends itself to more than just emotional recovery.]

And sometimes you just... know.

[A quick grin.] But if they don't want anything from you and they're willing to help you with something anyway? That's a pretty good bet.