Ending a Bad Date
January 31, 2006 by gayla
Filed under Relationships
We’ve all had them and we’ve all suffered the trauma that goes with trying to end a bad date and pleasantly as possible. But is there really a pleasant way? No, not really! Regardless of how it’s presented someone is going to feel the pinch of rejection. As much as feeling elated when you have a good date, feeling disappointments are part of a bad date. It’s unavoidable.
So what’s the best way to end a bad date?
Try as you might to be nice, sometimes being nice backfires and can be misinterpreted leading to mixed feelings and/or unwanted advances.
When you find yourself in this situation, honesty is the best policy, period!
Thank them politely for the date and their efforts and explain that they are not the type of person you are looking for. And for heaven’s sake – don’t tell them that you want to be friends, unless you genuinely mean it. Most importantly, if you have no intention of seeing the person again – make that point very clear to them.
If you’ve somehow made it to the point that you’ve been asked on another date, consider one of these replies – regardless of how cliché they may sound:
• “You’re not the type of person I am looking for.”
• “I don’t think that this is going to work.”
• “I think we could both find someone who is more compatible.”
Pulling out one these old clichés will let your date down in the easiest way possible and will save you the discomfort of the impending end of date kiss.
There’s really no cause to hurt anyone’s feelings more than need be. In as much as honesty may be brutal at times, it is the honorable and respectable way to go.
You wouldn’t want someone to end the date and then avoid you like the plague until you stop calling, would you? So why would you do anything even remotely similar to someone else?
If all else fails and you don’t have the courage to voice your intentions, you could always send the dreadful Dear John letter via email. Of course I don’t recommend this, but it does seem to be a commonly used tactic.
With that said, why not share with us your rejection story. What’s the best way you’ve ever been rejected for a date number 2?
