Before convo, check motives, set timing, pick privacy; this prep makes delivery easier, reduces confusion. If distance or safety require alternate format, a short call is acceptable; confirm schedule ahead, note who needs space afterward.
according to angeles-based licensed gary walker, brief phrasing works best: state your position plainly, soften delivery with appreciation, treat emotions seriously, offer brief answers if requested. They deserve privacy; allow pause time for processing, avoid surprise follow-ups that steal hope.
Use short scripts no longer than one or two sentences; keep vocabulary simple so ideas land fast, keep tone calm so it’s easy to hear. Check schedule, plan exit time, prepare for questions about mutual contacts or relationship boundaries, offer optional open convo later if they want. If unsure which words to use, keep lines factual, limit promises, thanks for clear communication.
Practical checklist: write three sample lines, run them aloud once, decide whether to meet in-person or call, keep phone on silent, place conversation in a private space, check safety before arrival. These steps reduce misreading, preserve dignity, make process easier for all involved.
Preparing yourself before the conversation
Schedule a private meeting of 20–30 minutes in a neutral location; prepare a one-sentence opening, deliver it clearly, then pause so other person can respond. Keep it better to be brief: stick to facts, avoid stories that break trust, and finish once main point has been made.
Check a written checklist: list three reasons with dates and observable behaviors; note any health-related constraints and whether marriage expectations exist. Write one line that states you accept other person’s feelings while clarifying boundaries. Add quick answers to likely questions to avoid surprises.
Practice aloud until tone is calm: use a brief template–opening sentence, one line of understanding, one line of hope–and a closing that resets contact and sets clear boundaries. Short rehearsal increases confidence; knowing what to say reduces reactivity and helps deliver a message that leaves both parties fine.
If emotions, history, or safety concerns are complex, consult a licensed counselor or family law director; bradshaw-style family systems resources can clarify dynamics since patterns predict reactions. For cases involving marriage or abuse, arrange support before meeting and confirm any health-related accommodations.
After conversation, send a brief written note that repeats boundaries and next steps; check once for clarity, then avoid retelling story to others to prevent gossip that could undermine recovery. theres no need for extended contact; set a short timeline for follow-up and keep communication open only if both sides accept.
Clarify your reasons so you can state them simply
State one concise reason in a single sentence; address girl by name, keep it quick and in-person whenever possible.
Choose one primary category: compatibility (different level of feelings or likes), life stage (not seeking marriage or long-term commitment), or health-related limits that reduce availability.
Use templates: “I enjoyed our time, but I’m not at same emotional level,” “I care about your feelings, yet I’m not seeking marriage,” “I have a health-related condition that limits dating and wanted you to know.”
Keep tone sweet but direct; kindest, honest line helps preserve trust and avoids playing games or ghosting, which often adds confusion and makes moment more awkward for most people.
Resist tempting instincts to soften by playing along; it might mean mixed signals and makes situation more difficult. If asking for details, answer one clear follow-up; excessive explaining often hurts trust. Showing appreciation for time enjoyed and giving space always helps reduce hurt.
Use simple strategies: limit explanation to one sentence, avoid long lists of reasons, refuse to trade honesty for quick comfort. That approach prevents ghosting temptation and shows respect while minimizing awkwardness.
Pick a private time and neutral place to avoid public embarrassment
Schedule a specific slot when both parties are free; pick a neutral spot such as a quiet café booth, empty meeting room, or park bench out of earshot to prevent public awkwardness.
If this happens after work, message ahead with exact time so person isn’t blindsided; if conversation must occur during work, reserve a small meeting room rather than stopping in a hallway.
Use a short method: three clear sentences–one line of fact, one line of appreciation, one line of closure–then stop; practice responding aloud until delivery feels steady.
Anticipate emotional triggers and plan brief responses so you don’t get pulled into long debate; resist overexplaining because extra detail often makes things worse.
If Claudia or another friend asks related news later, say sorry and that you found priorities are different; keep phrasing simple, avoid rehearsed speeches, avoid long justification.
Do not try to cheer someone up with “calm down” or hollow praise; validate feeling, give enough space, then state boundary clearly to reduce chance of ghost or mixed signals.
When people start gossip at work or among guys, offer one concise clarification only if directly asked; after first answer, step away to avoid repeat discussions that go wrong.
Think like a director: set scene, block time slots, remove interruptions, test ideas in private with a trusted friend, and use this method to limit escalation and preserve dignity for everyone involved.
Rehearse short, honest lines that avoid blame
Use three rehearsed lines of 8–14 words, neutral tone, no blame; practice until you can deliver them calmly and move on without adding justification.
| 스크립트 | Why it works |
|---|---|
| “I don’t feel a romantic spark between us.” | Specific, brief, removes story-driven explanations that trigger defensive thinking. |
| “I value your privacy and don’t want to mislead you.” | Protects dignity, limits follow-up questions, reduces hanging conversations after a meeting. |
| “I’m not ready for a relationship; I need to focus elsewhere.” | Frames choice as internal, prevents blame, signals boundaries without promising change. |
Behavioral science found that short statements reduce emotional triggers and shorten post-conversation rumination; practice timing each line to under 12 seconds and note which ideas made you hang back during rehearsal.
Role-play technique: run a mock meeting, record one side, then swap; use neutral stand-ins named walker and ettin while refining phrasing so the exchange doesn’t become a personal chapter in someone’s story.
Do not force extra explanation or invent reasons that undermine your boundary; offer a single clear sentence, pause, and allow the other person to respond without being pressured. If pressed for detail, say you made a decision based on your own thinking and that theres no useful follow-up.
Prepare short responses to common replies (thanks, hurts, why, what about marriage?) and keep answers factual: “I respect you; this decision comes from what I want, not what you deserve.” Avoid promises you arent willing to keep; having clear limits protects both privacy and future relationships.
Check your emotional readiness to stay calm and steady

Pause for 48 hours before any difficult conversation; rate emotional intensity from 0–10 and proceed only if score ≤4.
Write three concrete motives on paper; separate what feels attractive from compatibility and from core preferences; examples: “attracted to your humor, preferences about kids differ”, “great chemistry once evenings get long but life goals conflict”.
Practice a brief script aloud once; aim for kindest phrasing under 20 words, avoid common excuses such as “it’s not you” or “bad timing”, and focus on showing respect without overexplaining.
Plan for likely reaction patterns: crying, silence, anger, questions about pursuing other people or getting closure; prepare short, calm replies that prioritize safety and clarity, and set a 10–15 minute time limit for initial exchange.
Avoid wasting energy by pursuing someone when core alignment is missing; think about long-term negative outcomes for both partners if mismatch is ignored, and once decision is shared do not send mixed signals–those will likely cause more hurting.
If readiness is unclear, receive upfront feedback from a trusted friend or book a therapy session; examples of useful prompts: “Do I know my priorities and preferences?” and “Might staying now be worse than breaking ties kindly later?” Therapy often shows patterns that explain avoidance or repeated excuses.
Choose a neutral public spot for short in-person talk; great choice reduces escalation risk, worse options include text-only closure or ghosting; after conversation expect varied responses, and if follow-up is needed send one concise message then allow space.
How to speak: clear, kind, and direct
Say a short script and stop there: “Thanks – I’m flattered, but I dont want to pursue a romantic connection; I need to be clear about my preferences.”
- Three-step method: validate feeling, state preference, set boundary. Example: “I appreciate that; I want different things; so I will stop any dating talk.”
- 사용할 단어: 감사, 기분 좋음, 감사함, 원하다, 선호도, 중단하다. 메시지를 간단하고 단호하게 유지합니다.
- 단호하게 전달하되, 차갑게는 전달하지 마세요. 회의 중이라면 차분한 어조와 눈 맞춤, 듣는 사람이 모든 단어를 따라갈 수 있도록 꾸준한 속도를 유지하세요.
- 실제 대화 전에 큰 소리로 연습하세요 - 두 번 역할극을 한 다음, 감정이 고조될 경우 친구나 면허를 소지한 치료사 앞에서 한 번 연습하세요.
- 혼동을 드린 것 같으면, briefly 다음과 같이 인정하세요: “혼란을 야기했을 수도 있다는 것을 인지하고 있습니다. 그게 제 의도는 아니었습니다.” 이는 논의를 재개하지 않고도 감정을 인정하는 것입니다.
- 어떤 사람들은 상처를 느낀다고 말하고, 어떤 사람들은 질문을 합니다. 다시 한번 선호하는 바를 반복한 다음, 주고받는 것을 멈추세요.
- 마인드셋 팁: 교환을 명확한 목적을 가진 단일 미팅으로 취급하세요 – 협상이 아닙니다. 이는 골대를 옮기거나 맹목적으로 말하는 것을 피하는 데 도움이 됩니다.
- 누군가가 당신을 당황시키려 할 때, 잠시 멈추고, 당신의 입장을 다시 말하고, 필요하다면 시간을 좀 가지세요. 짧은 휴식을 취하는 것도 괜찮습니다.
- 만약 감정이 지속되거나 상대방이 계속 압박한다면 중재인이나 치료사를 참여시키세요. 면허를 소지한 전문가는 양측이 경계 변화를 처리하는 데 도움을 줄 수 있습니다.
- 언어별로 구체적으로, 모호한 약속은 피하세요.
- 오해가 있을 경우, 중립적인 마무리로 “이해해 주셔서 감사합니다.”라고 말씀한 다음, 합의된 사항을 이행하십시오.
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