The following is a series of email conversations, sent back and forth to an audience of five or six people from different departments within my company – I was the only girl, as usual.
WEDNESDAY
Guillaume: “Perhaps we can discuss [a particular marketing issue] over lunch tomorrow?”
Everyone agrees and a restaurant is selected.
THURSDAY
Guillaume: “Sorry everyone, I have too much going on today. Can we meet next week? Plus, Jillian looks half-dead.”
We reschedule for next week.
THE FOLLOWING THURSDAY
Guillaume: “Sorry, I need to bump this lunch to next week again. I had another meeting come up unexpectedly. Plus, Jillian, though she looks less dead than last week, still looks bad today. It’s embarrassing, really.”
THE FOLLOWING FOLLOWING THURSDAY
Guillaume: “Yes, lunch is still on today. Jillian looks decent enough to take into public. Not great, though.”
Thanks guys.
Jillian Wyatt 
It’s a good thing you were raised on sarcasm and wise-cracks. Just tell them “I may look tired and half dead, but you’re ugly, and I can get some sleep”.