Earlier this week I had let someone know that I just wasn't interested in him. I hate doing this. But I do it because when I'm dating someone and they just fall off the face of the earth and I never hear from them again, it makes me angry. Or when I'm dating someone longer than 8 months and they break up with me via email, it makes me feel like total shit. To do this to someone is just rude and pathetic.
In today's technological world, it's hard to tell sometimes what is acceptable and what is not acceptable when breaking up with someone. So I always make it a point to follow the Breaking-Up Rules of Etiquette* so that the dumpee does not have to feel like total shit. If you're not aware of the Rules, please see the chart below:
But my beef does not end here. I would also like to point out that there is a good way to be broken-up with. This gentleman whom I had to tell I just wasn't that into him was not happy about it, and he made me feel worse than I already did. I do not think that was called for. Especially after only going out on one date. A lunch date. I am a firm believer that you should not lead someone one and that it's only courteous to let someone know when you're not interested. His reply? An angry "I should have seen that coming."
Ugh. Really? I'm a firm believer in cordiality. If someone doesn't want to see me anymore, sure I'm hurt, but I'm also not a dick about it. I also want to make sure I leave it friendly, especially if we have mutual friends, because we'll likely run into each other again. So, to help out those who are broken up with, here are
Three Things NOT to Say When Someone Breaks Up With You:
1) "I should have known this was coming." (Especially after just one date) -- This implies you think you are a loser.
2) "Have a nice life." -- This implies you're a dick.
3) "But I love you, we're meant to be together forever and I already photoshopped our future family into our scrapbook..." -- ... [crickets] ...
Last year I went out with someone three or four times and I thought he was a great guy but I just wasn't interested in him romantically. I wanted to be friends, so I told him that in person. He responded that he would like to be friends and hugged me before he left. That is a perfect example of how to break up with someone and how to be broken-up with.
My public service announcement is over. Hope this has helped you all out. It's sure helped me.
*Yes, I made these up. But you should still follow the Rules because they're correct.
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