These past few months, I’ve had the distinct displeasure of being shot down several times. Apart from wailing in the middle of the night & crying my eyeballs out, I’ve also done something useful - Made a useful checklist for the ladies out there. So, when a guy says “I Like You”, and you don’t quite feel the same way … please be humane and don’t say the following things

1. I really treasure your friendship …
   Ummm, yeah we all know what that means. This line is usually followed by 2-3 months of awkwardness around each other before both decide to call it quits on the friendship. Instead, please have a nice long honest conversation about why you’re not interested and then give him time to rebound.
2. Maybe I think of you as a brother?
   Ouch! Ladies ladies ladies. You’re highly underestimating the male human brain. For the kind of thoughts we’ve probably already had about you, we’re not legally allowed to think of you as sisters. Avoid it at all costs.
3. Actually I kind of have a serious boyfriend …
   Who was in Eastern Europe while we had been flirting & romancing for the past 3 months? Have a heart girls, no guy likes to lose to someone he hasn’t even met! So, now would be a good time to mention that you would be using that boyfriend for financial & emotional support for the rest of your life (so that we feel better about dodging the “serious commitment” bullet).
4. I’m sure there’s something better waiting for you …
   Every cloud has a silver lining. When god closes a door, he opens a window. Que Sera Sera. Mary had a little lamb (etc etc). Save the stuff from quotes.com for someone who cares.
5. I don’t want you because you suck in bed/romance/charm/(substitute with an appropriate quality)
   No no no no no … now’s not a good time to pick on them. As tempting as it might be to finish it them off in one go, please spend the extra 30 minutes conversing and layering nice things in between the criticisms. And remember to say something nice about them too, ok?
6. Naah, I could never be interested in you. Anyway, wanna go for a movie?
   Grrr … some common sense required here. If you really want him to stop lusting over you and get on to someone else, please give him the gift of distance & time. All guys will need some time to forget all about you (4 days to 4 months), and in the meantime should be set up with all your single, hot friends for rebounding.