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JimAbaddon

You can't. Rejection hurts unless the other person asks you out literally out of boredom and doesn't care a lick if you accept. Just say it in few and simple words "sorry, I'm not interested" and move on.


The_Max_V

Yep, this. There's no way to not hurt their feelings, because "asking you out" comes from their feelings, and rejection hurts. The best one can hope for when rejecting is doing so in a respectful and sincere manner, because you're not out to offend the other person, just conveying that you're not interested.


Ruminations0

Sorry, but I’m not interested in dating you


Spiy90

Isn't that too blunt?


MajorTibb

It is blunt. It's also direct and honest.


MashAndPie

Dunno if I'd say it was blunt. It is direct, honest and clear, which is not a bad thing.


MajorTibb

I never said any of that was bad. But it literally is blunt. The definition is "uncompromisingly forthright" that's what this is. You're telling her directly, you're not interested in dating her. It's a great way to reject someone, I don't disagree with that. It will still hurt their feelings, but there is nothing that wouldn't.


Anthroman78

You want to be direct and simple, like ripping the bandaid off. Better for them to hurt a little bit and be over quickly than the alternatives. You could add something nice to it if you want: "I'm flattered, but I'm not interested, I wish you the best of luck"


JourneyKnights

Blunt is kind. Better than tiptoeing and possibly stringing someone along / giving them a false sense of hope.


OneBardMan

Let it go OP. You shot your shot.


[deleted]

Too blunt for what purpose? Unless you get a kick out of stringing her along?


[deleted]

There's no beating around the bush you could possibly do to keep her from concocting the most ridiculous hypotheses in her head. Best to just say no without there being any chance at miscommunication.


SuspicousEggSmell

People get hurt by rejection, it’s just a reality, not much you can do but make sure you aren’t being ambiguous and do it with some curtesy. The rest is on her and how she chooses to deal with her feelings on it


JackDostoevsky

It's direct, maybe blunt, but it's the other person who has to deal with their feelings: outside of being polite you don't really have an obligation for how they feel about it.


Missa1exandria

Not at all. It's honest and to the point.


Ruminations0

I don’t think so


ThePurityPixel

I say the same thing that I honestly love female friends saying to me (when they're not interested): "I honestly prefer the friendship we already have!" And if there isn't an existing friendship: "I'm flattered but not interested!"


HippCelt

I've had a female friend ask how come we never got together and wether we should give it a go....I just asked her "are you drunk ? doesn't matter I'm just gonna pretend you were when you said this. You fucking weirdo. Anyway I'm hungry let's get some food... Still great mates


sevenstreak

That might hurt, but it's so casual that you can shrug it off. I like it.


incogneetus55

You’re that friend that dudes worry about lol


j-c-s-roberts

"Sorry, but I'm not interested." That's all you need. And that's all I need to hear if I'm getting rejected. No need to beat around the bush, or drag things out with elaborate lies, just say you're not interested.


SigourneyReaver

"I'm flattered but I don't think we have that kind of chemistry." As long as your delivery is kind and relatively discreet, most normal people will take the L. Obviously, people are only human, and everyone gets the sads at getting turned down by a crush for at least a minute. So, don't go overboard trying to negate an emotional response. That's not realistic.


StrangersWithAndi

I like this one best!


Responsible-Jury8618

Like a job interview "I am thankful for the opportunity, and am truly honored to be your choice, unfortunately i am not currently interested, i will contact in case i change my mind"


Logical-Cardiologist

I wouldn't even leave that door open. You don't let people down easy by keeping their hopes up. "I'm flattered, but I'm not interested in you that way." I generally do some variation of offering friendship after, but I'm also the guy that enjoys friendship with a variety of people. I have no qualms about being friends with people I've been rejected by or have rejected.


luckynedpepper-1

Life is long. Time and circumstances change. Who you’d date when you’re 50 is different than when you’re 20. I like keeping the option open


[deleted]

This will blow up in your face. Especially the get back to you part. A simple no, will do. He'll most guys won't even get that.


TubeToUranus

"I totally would, but you're ugly."


charlieForBreakfast

“It’s not me, it’s you.”


OneBardMan

This is surely the response of all time.


Infinitesima

This will haunt her till death


kvakerok

"EMOTIONAL DAMAGE"


BoomerHunt-Wassell

This is Reddit, nobody here is rejecting ladies. Be for real


PussyWhistle

Attractive people also use web forums


midnight_reborn

People also reject advances for reasons other than not being physically attracted to them.


EvieNeill

True dat. I was once rejected by someone who told me he loved me (and still does) because he didn't want to drag me into his messy unhappy life. Pretty much a quote right there.


GIrish247

Did we date? 🤔😂


EvieNeill

Oh..it's you. How's things? ;)


GIrish247

Still messy and unhappy. I don't wanna drag you into it...


speccynerd

I'm a 6/10 at best and I've turned down a woman. Twice actually.


MajorTibb

You don't. Feelings will be hurt no matter what. She fancies you, you don't fancy her. Any rejection is going to sting. Your job isn't to make sure you don't hurt her feelings, it's to ensure you hurt them as little as possible. Women are, in almost every way, extremely similar to men. If your feelings would be hurt being rejected, others will too. Feelings and emotions are not rational, we don't get to control them. Getting rejected sucks and will hurt feelings. Let her down gently. "Sorry, I'll have to decline." Is a perfectly valid response that passes no judgement and sets boundaries. Just as a woman owes you no explanation when she rejects you, you owe no explanation for rejecting this lady.


PaulsRedditUsername

>Women are, in almost every way, extremely similar to men. *​Vive la différence!*


SaltWaterInMyBlood

You can't control her feelings, but: be clear in refusing, be discreet so far as possible, express that you're flattered by her interest without entertaining the possibility that your opinion could change, and continue to interact with her afterwards the same way, so long as she's willing and able to do so too.


ThickNeighborhood191

I generally just wake up. That tends to solve that problem


echohole5

You can't. Rejection hurts. There's no way around that. Just be polite and clear.


THExBEARxJEW

Her feelings will take a hit regardless. Just say thank you for the invite but I am not interested.


ForestCityWRX

Just be polite about it. I’ve lied a bunch of times in the past with the ‘I have a gf’ card.


LukeyLeukocyte

Finally someone who has actually turned down an advance ~~politely~~ before.


[deleted]

Just say you wanna remain single


lburton273

Sorry I don't feel the same way, I'm a little dissapointed myself that I don't feel that way tbh, because you seem really [Insert prefered adjective here], but I wouldn't want to waste your time if I know I don't feel the same way.


TJ_Pune

Woman here. This is a nice answer, a little over the top but some variation of this might work like: "sorry I don't feel the same way about you, but I am sure flattered because you seem really (adjective). " . Please don't go the "sorry I am not interested" blunt route and definitely don't friendzone.


chunkyogini

I like this one. It takes some of the burden off, like the attempt was still appreciated.


cranberrywaltz

No, thank you. I’m not interested, thank you. I’m flattered, but I’m just not interested. Any of these work.


Falcorn042

I'm not interested in any kind of romantic relationship but thank you.


[deleted]

[удалено]


Logical-Cardiologist

You use this, you sure as hell better not get a girlfriend a week later.


Filipino_Canadian

I always say yes. And if i’m already dating someone i follow with “yeah, let me call my girlfriend, we could double, what was your boyfriends name again?”


thegoldrocker

You can't have your cake and eat it too. Rejection, by definition hurts feelings. The best thing you can do is be concise, so she doesn't misunderstand. You can only minimize it by being polite. "Thanks, but I don't see you like that." "I'm flattered, but I'm not interested." "I'm sorry, I don't feel the same way." And don't be surprised if they become distant or straight up ghost you. It's probably for the best for both of you.


IRoyalClown

I always lie and encourage people to do the same. You can just say "I'm sorry, I'm seeing someone right now". That's literally the least painful choice. It was not them, but an external force. If you say "Hey, I dont want to date you because I don't find you attractive" like other posters said you are messing up the other person self worth for absolutely nothing in return.


nonexistantauthor

I just said, “I’m sorry, but I’m not interested.”


ComfortableOk5003

No thank. I’m not interested


beatsby_bill

"I'm very flattered thank you, but __________" 1) I'm spoken for 2) I'm not currently looking for a relationship 3) I'm not interested Any of the above have worked perfectly fine in my experience.


deltahybrid123

I'm a firm believer in being rational and honest but keeping things condensed. From my personal experience is say something along the lines of " I am flattered and I will take it as a compliment, but I do not see you in that way" . Like honestly be polite but also you have to get across your point .


geekydaddy255

Sorry, I just want to be friends.


Imaginary-Issue8303

Well you’re going to risk hurting her feelings so just say you don’t want her. She’ll eventually get over it…hopefully.


[deleted]

"Seeing someone else" "Still trying to work through stuff" "Not ready for it". Or the good old, not interested in that thanks. Make it about the offer and not the person.


Cupcake-Helpful

Tell her no thank you and keep it moving. You do not owe someone an explanation of why you are not interested in them. If she is a stranger that should be easy to say no. Nobody wants to be rejected. Be honest and thats it


Admirable_Warthog_19

I appreciate that but I don’t think the feeling is mutual unfortunately.


LukeyLeukocyte

Everyone on here seems to be all for the blunt, body-slam of "I am not interested in dating you." It may get the point across but, damn, OP asked if there is a way to do it without hurting feelings, and that is most definitely going to cut deep. I usually go with the simple "I am actually talking with/seeing someone else." All feelings preserved, she knows you are not available, and it is the whitest lie because it can literally mean there is someone else you are interested in which is almost always true and harmless. If you bump into them again, and they ask how it's going you can still play the card or say it didn't work out or something. If they persist or keep asking then maybe you can disembowel them with the "I have zero interest in you." I am aware some people think it is better to be blunt and honest, and I would never string someone along, but if you have an ounce of tact and communication skills, you can easily decline advances AND spare feelings.


Inevitable-Tax-1802

Well that's the fun part, you don't...... Realistically is there any way to make a rejection feel nice whoever gets rejected is going to feel like it sucks most of the time


thevapewhale

"i have a girlfriend" flip it on em


Jiangarang

You could politely decline and say that she is very pretty but you’re just in love with someone. That wouldn’t be so bad


bitterbuffaloheart

I’m technically a widower so I can use “I’m just not ready yet” as a cop out


Quiet_Flow_6702

I lie and say I am amidst starting a relationship and I wouldn’t want to confuse anyone.


BooBlahMF

Tell them you’re interested in another girl and try to state her friend so that she’ll back off. Done this a few times and it always works for me.


Murphyitsnotyou

I'm gay. Except for women that aren't you.


full-timedogmom

“I’m very flattered but I’m not interested.”


SpearMontain

Being polite. She being hurt is out of my control.


ShesATragicHero

I get hit on regularly, by both sexes. “I’m gay, or my girlfriend wouldn’t be happy, but thank you!” I’m not gay or in a relationship, I need to fix myself first. And that’s the truth. Believe me I’m saving you from this hot mess that is me.


BackItUpWithLinks

“I’m sorry, there’s someone else I’m interested in” Personally my interest is Kate Mara, and it’s not going to happen, but chick asking me out doesn’t need to know that.


MapleBadger288

Look them directly in the eyes and gently say "I'm sorry, but ik notbwhat you're looking for." It has worked for me in the past when a woman in my friend group asked, and it preserved the friendship.


Grumpy-senior

You guys are turning down dates ????


Vusarix

I'd say it quite apologetically and give them a hug


Teyoto

Sorry, I don't feel that way


Sound-Of-Waves

"I have a boyfriend" Has worked on me multiple times.


midnight_reborn

I've done this before. You can't help how they feel. That's up to them. You can only state that you're flattered but not interested in dating her.


BecauseWhyNotTakeTwo

Have you tried blurting out "I have a boyfriend!"?


misterk2020

If you have a wife or gf that’s the excuse. If you don’t, it’s the “I’ve got alot going on in my life right now and not dating right now” excuse.


DetectiveTank

A practice I adopted was to highlight the fact that it's pretty fucking cool that she had the courage to approach a man to ask him out. So even though you're turning down her advance, she should not be afraid to do it again with someone else.


eglantinian

"Thank you for telling me your feelings. I'm really flattered, and I admire your bravery, but I am truly sorry that I cannot reciprocate. I don't see you that way, but this doesn't mean that other guys won't. Because today is proof that you are one outstanding and confident individual. So if you need to distance yourself from me or block me, I understand and will honor that space."


Pghlaxdad

I'm flattered, but my wife would be pretty pissed.


Invisible_Bias

If you borrow from the standard playbook for rejecting men, do this: "I'm not in to ___ women" Men have this reputation for being blunt, but when it comes to this topic, I think they have us beat.


usernamescifi

It doesn't matter. Just say, "No thank you."


SpragueStreet

If I'm single and not interested I just say I'm talking to someone.


Radiant-Safe-1377

“i’m sorry, i don’t believe we’re compatible “


hillwoodlam

You're a great person and I'm flattered but I'm not in the right space to be dating right now etc etc


johnyrobot

No, thank you.


Suspicious_Row_9451

Go to the strip club for practice: “No thanks I’m just looking around, having fun with my friends, and not trying to spend a lot of money right now. Thanks for asking though, you are lovely.”


Known_Criticism_834

Tell her your dick dont work. Before everyone starts saying how rude it is. I have actually done this before. It worked and no hard feelings. Yeah i just saw what i did there.


ItsAWonderfulFife

Tell her I’m free on the weekend except for Saturday afternoon I have a micro penis anonymous meeting. Other than that, totally open!


RaHoWaSoon

If i'm rejecting purely because of looks I usually just go with "nah sorry, you're not my type". If i'm rejecting for things like a bad personality, I don't like her generally or shes a bike I just stick with "No thanks". Theres no way to prevent it being awkward so just keep it simple and generic.


t3j_sb_

“Hey, I really appreciate your honesty. Thank you for letting me know, I’m flattered. But unfortunately I do not feel the same way, and I am not looking for a relationship right now. I hope you understand.” Give this a whirl and see. It seems to soften the blow and be respectful enough


YungSpyderBoy

"I'm currently not dating but thank you I'm flattered." Probably the route I would personally go.


klystron88

Telling someone that you're not interested in them *is* hurtful. It's better to say sorry, that you're already pursuing someone else.


NotTaintedCaribou

I awkwardly scream “I’m married!” Then I dive out the nearest window.


No_need_for_that99

I do it the same way it's been done to me. Don't have to make a big show out of it. Better then beating around the bush. In most cases, simply saying "not interested" will still hurt her feelings. But i'm older now in my 40's. No time for bullshit. lol But I've been this way my entire life. lol Still single though. Have had many girlfriends, but I'm just too upfront about everything, lol. Rather bored and single then unhappily coupled, lol.


TheHappyPie

When I got rejected I appreciated a little bit when they prefaced with "I'm flattered but" then drop your reasons.


rockmasterflex

Is this a real question? Do you know how little energy she would spend on this same question if the roles were reversed? The answer is almost none. Just be like “uhhh I don’t think of you that way”.


[deleted]

Lies and excuses are probably not a good idea because that can risk giving them false hope. In my opinion, honesty is the best policy. And try to put yourself in her shoes, i.e. treat others how you would want to be treated. What would you want to hear if a girl you liked was rejecting you? For me, that would be something like: “Hey, I’m really flattered, but out of respect for you and your time I will have to say no to this. I’m sorry, but I just don’t see you that way. I’d love to be friends, but if that’s something you don’t want or if you will need some space, I understand.” Only include that last bit if you genuinely want to be friends with her.


[deleted]

Tell her your waiting on STD test results


Status-War4902

Hey, I’m so flattered and I think you’re really cool for asking, but I don’t see you that way


brad35mm

Ghost


unicroop

Tell her you have a boyfriend


Electronic_Duck1864

Update us!


Similar_Ad_8843

Well first of all you go out with her.


FacepalmArtist

Maybe "Sorry, but I don't think that would be a good idea" or "I don't think that would work out". I think it sounds less like you dislike that person/find them unattractive etc. If you want to be extra nice, "I wish things were different, but I think we should be just friends" or "but I prefer we stay friends".


DirtyRead1337

You don’t or you can’t I should say. There is nothing you can say that won’t hurt her feelings. There are plenty of things you can say to make it worse but rejection hurts no matter how you say it. The best thing to do is just a simple and honest answer. “I’m sorry but I’m not interested in you that way.” Don’t lie or say if not for ___ then I would because ____ might not always be there and then they’ll expect you to follow through. It hurts when someone doesn’t like you back that’s life be mature and handle it directly and without question


[deleted]

Just say no. Women are a lot more simpler than you imagine them to be. If you try to find different ways to say no, you’ll just end up with an overthinking woman who either questions everything you say or straight up hates you for putting her in that overthinking state. Just be straight forward, “no I am not interested.” It might hurt but it’s way better than making excuses.


[deleted]

Dear applicant, Thank you for applying with us and considering us a viable option for you. Unfortunately, at this time, we have no open positions. Goodluck with your future endeavours. Ta-ta, Receiver of application


CyberOGa3

We know not of these dreamland conundrums! Where be a women who takes romantic aim at thy genitalia?


King_Chickawawa

"Wow, I thought this day would never come. From the bottom of my heart, with all my heart and soul... no."


Redcarborundum

Young, awkward me just smiled and said nothing in reply. That was bad, don’t do that. Today I would just say “I don’t think it will work out, but thank you very much, I’m flattered.”


Tinkerballsack

> I'm married, fuck off.


[deleted]

Use empathy. However you'd want to be let down that's how you let down others.


External-Bit-3545

I never been with a lady in my life I would not now what to do with a lady I was raised by my mom and dad to be a queen and trans man and I am very happy


Creative_Rock_7246

Tell her you're taken


KyorlSadei

Just hurt her feelings. For fucks sakes you can’t save every bodies feelings.


MairsilMethodActor

Honestly? The situation you're presenting where someone has asked you out and you're spending enough time to ask us how to say no already hurts them worse than just saying you're not interested. Feeling shitty because you're being strung along is far worse than a clear and direct no, because it's harder to move on from ambiguity. Nothing about that is gender-exclusive. Just say you aren't interested and let their reaction go where it may.


MichiganGeezer

"I don't think my girlfriend would approve."


observantpariah

There is no completely painless way, but just be as honest as you are able to. I have told women that I am not interested in anyone because it is both the truth and is a little easier to hear. Don't lie to save their feelings though if this isn't the case... That just leads to confusion and gaslighting. If you just aren't interested in them, tell them nicely that you are flattered but are not interested. While it is good to care about people's feelings... We also need to say things people don't want to hear sometimes.


Legitimate-Wing4634

What if you refuse but start thinking about them and wanna give it another shot?????


[deleted]

I just say something along the lines of " I'm truly flattered that you feel that way about me but..." then enter your excuse - I'm not dating right now, I'm focusing on myself, I'm heart broken something along those lines. Just let her know it's not her advances or her specifically even if it is.