How do I tell a guy I'm not interested, without being mean?

You need to be upfront about it; and there is a difference. Saying "No" or "that you're not interested, or " there's no match," or "you're not feeling it," those are upfront and acceptable ways of saying no. And while we men HATE the stock answers or the "as a friend" stuff, usually if we're healthy about it, we just laugh it off. It at least gives a blatant "no hope" kind of answer. If he keeps pressing then, you still, firmly say no. If he KEEPS pressing and getting increasingly aggressive, then comes the time for a little more brashness.

If you say "I'm busy now" or something other than "I have a boyfriend"; ie if you give him any hope of a future, and he asks you out once every 6 months, he's not being a stalker. That's not what I mean. But if he starts following you around, etc, then you need to speak up, and yes, at this point you have a perfect excuse to avoid him.

Being honest with him is the best way to go. Now, while something like "Good god, no! I find you absolutely repulsive, you ugly freak!" may be "honest," it's also cruel.

I might not consider "fading out" with the guy until he gives you the creeps. I personally HATE being ignored. I don't chase girls down. I don't treat them with disrespect, and I don't get creepy.

So there's no reason to cross the street and run when I say a simple hello. It becomes awkward when I try to say hello, and I'm ignored or sneered at. I'm being avoided though I did nothing wrong, and I hate that feeling. I get enough of that already. So don't do that stuff until he starts being creepy.

Good luck.

Tell him in a good mood that he shouldn't keep his hopes up. Just tell him that you like him but only as a friend.

tell him just what it is. college just started and you're not looking for anything too serious right now. just friends. you want to focus on school. ihe should understand better if you get it out the way a.s.a.p and then you 2 can still remain friends.

"Fading away" is a good option too. You could all of a sudden become to busy for anything remotely close to a serious relationship. Lol.

Think of it this way: You're going to be considered more mean if you end up leading him on or if you wait a long time to tell him you're not interested. If you're up front with him in the begining you might feel bad and so might he but it won't be as bad as it would be if you wait.