How To Turn Down A Date

Regardless of how popular you are, there will be times in your life when you may need to know how to turn down a date without leaving bad feelings behind or jeopardizing friendships. Turning down a date is almost always an awkward situation and doing it with panache takes a bit of practice.

1. First things first; thank the person asking you out for the offer. No matter who it is who asks you out on a date, you should be flattered by the offer. Let the person offering the date know that you do appreciate being asked.
2. If you're in a relationship, say so. Beware of those who will say you can go out on a date 'just as friends' unless you're interested in possibly misleading this person and ruining your current relationship.
3. Try to be honest about why you're turning down the date with the hopeful suitor. Using an excuse such as, "I'm busy," will do you no good as you'll only be asked out immediately with the offer of a different time and date. Having to decline because you're busy twice in a row may give the person the hint but also may hurt her feelings.
4. It will be easier to run down a date if you are prepared with a list of standard responses such as:

• "Thanks, but I'm interested in someone else right now." This one works well as you can't really be tripped up in this possible falsehood. If she asks you for details, just say that you'd rather not discuss the relationship at the moment.
• "Thanks, but I'm in a relationship." This one only works if you really are in a relationship, as it's too easy to prove that you might be single.
• "Thanks, but I'm not dating at the moment - just taking a break. From dating."
• "Thanks, but I'm just out of a long-term relationship and not ready to get back into it yet."

Note: You don't actually need to offer more information than a polite response and, if she becomes more persistent, just curtail the contact. Leave as quickly as you can. Asking probing questions is rude so your actions are justified in this case.