Being asked on a date is flattering. Somebody likes you and wants to get to know you better! What do you do when you don’t feel the same way? Everyone knows that rejection is no fun, but turning someone down can be just as difficult.    

Here are some tips on how to politely decline a date:

1. Prepare ahead of time 

Let’s face it: you’re awesome. You will probably be asked out a lot in your life, and we’re guessing that you won’t want to say yes to everyone. It’s smart to plan out some things to say ahead of time in case the moment arises. “It’s so nice of you to offer, but I’m not dating right now” and “You’re a very sweet person and I appreciate our friendship, but I don’t feel the same way” are great places to start. 

2. Be straightforward 

When someone asks you out, stringing them along just inspires false hope and leads to a bigger let down when you finally say no. Don’t worry - if you’ve followed tip #1 you’re ready to let them down gently with the least amount of hurt feelings.  

3. Don’t accept a date to be nice 

Nobody wants to hurt someone else’s feelings, so accepting a date to avoid hurting someone may seem like the thing to do. By accepting a date you don’t want to go on, you’re hurting yourself as well as the other person. If you’re unsure whether you’d like to accept or not, you can always give it a go. If you have no interest, it’s better to refrain from stringing them along. 

4. Protect Yourself  

Everybody reacts differently to rejection. If you feel unsafe in your situation, it’s ok to protect yourself. Just because you turned down an offer does not mean you need to deal with their angry words or threatening texts.