SINGLE GUYS: When a woman confesses that she’s interested in you (but you’re not interested in her), how do you respond?

Question

Meaning, do things become awkward or do you remain friends with her?

Unit1 · Accepted Answer

I'll keep it simple and straight to the point. No, not interested in her. But encourage her to not give up dating just because of me.

handsomelad70 · Accepted Answer

I politely tell her that we should be friends and see what develops from there.

Zmicole123098 · Answer

In terms of responding, I would be honest in acknowledging her feelings and expressing that I am not interested respectfully. Rejecting someone or getting rejected is never fun, but it would be so much worse if their feelings are played with. I know sometimes people will say that they couldn't say no and said "maybe" or that they're not emotionally ready, because they didn't want to hurt their feelings, but that just makes things so much worse because not only will they have hope that something will happen, it'll also waste their time and puts them on an emotional roller-coaster especially if they see that you dating someone else. I'd also make it known that I would like to remain friends, but I would also understand if she didn't want to be friends anymore and that she should take some space away from me especially if it's difficult to be around me. It's not because I want to stay away from her but getting rejected can be hard on anyone and some people would could find it difficult to work through their feelings if the person they liked and was rejected from was around all the time.

Whether it would make things awkward or if remaining friends is an option, I would say it depends. Everybody is different, some can continue to be friends and move on whereas some can not, some might find it difficult to imagine the person they like being with someone else which would make it difficult for them to remain friends. Personally, I would still try, but that's just me. There is an exception, of course I would not want to be friends if they were the type to be vindictive towards me for rejecting them. I think it's definitely possible, but again it depends on the persons.

Chazmatazz269 · Answer

A simple and kind “No, thank you.”.
Whether or not i offer friendship depends entirely upon our circumstances prior to her bringing it up. However unlikely i receive a cold approach, my friendship isn’t a consolation prize for rejection. It’s insulting to even offer. If some sort of friendship existed before, i would probably want to maintain that, but not at her expense. If she would feel uncomfortable, we should go our separate ways.

AlexEfron · Answer

This has happened a couple of times. I usually explain to them that I'm not interested romantically and try not to ruin the friendship. So far it has been good. Things did change, it's not the same as before, but it didn't worsen. Definitely not awkward. Most of them got into a relationship with someone else and introduced their partners to me.

Friendlybro79 · Answer

It's happened a few times when I was younger and I just try to be as nice as possible and remain friends. As a guy, my age at least, I know how hard it is to ask someone out and be vulnerable. To that point, I am polite but direct as to not mislead.

To keep it from being awkward I will usually prove that I want to remain friends by immediately asking to do something friends would do so they know I mean it. For ex I told someone that said they had feelings for me that I wasn't looking for a relationship and that I wanted to be friends if it was still ok with her and asked her to get coffee and we chatted normally. Still friends with that one woman. We're both glad we're friends still.

NathanDavis · Answer

genuinely and openly... I've always managed to do it in a tactful way

whether it was intrigue or interest based on first impressions... or if it were actual declarations of love (infatuation really) or crushing... I've been able to just let them know that I do not feel the same way (or that I was already taken, lol)

funny is that, both times in which... they were closer, and friends (and this happened during school days, and so I was new to many things) I didn't handle it the best way at all, it got quite dramatic, lmfao but these were actual friendships and it had more at risk, let's say... however, and fortunately... we kept the ships afloat, and my first two girlfriends (high-school years and college years) were friends of mine first

Quidthonian · Answer

"Thank you for telling me this. Unfortunitely, I will politely decline your approach." Let her down easily, without severing the friendship.

For me this would happen if she is a smoker. I have a very low opinion of that demographic.

liggang · Answer

It's always a woman who is hideous or obese that wants me most. I'm sorry sweetie but I can't do that anymore.

I don't know what I say. I have a lot of anxiety and I hate to hurt someone's feelings. So I think I just get awkward until they get the hint.

ManInChains · Answer

The last girl I turned down I pretty much just kept shrugging her off and wouldn't let it go anywhere until she eventually quit working at the job I am still working at. Others were trying to get me to get with her but I told them all that I don't date coworkers.

Bricealan · Answer

Never had an occasion where a woman expressed interest and I did not respond positively, only one when the woman was already 'attached" but was disillusioned with her current mate, and I hesitated to get involved since she was engaged and I did not know what getting involved with her might involve me in.

Thworsh · Answer

I just tell her she's good looking, and her personality detracts from that, lol. What I really mean by that, is she is terrible at flirting, and way better off letting guys come to her instead.

That's her mistake, being aggressive in ways. Girls are actually much more aggressive than guys, on average.

HighValue · Answer

I just say that I don't think we would be compatible for a relationship.

foxrider77 · Answer

I remain friends and still hang out with them. I usually try to help them meet my friends or other guys I know.

summiter · Answer

I just said that I prefer to just stay in the friendzone and noting more

Bklynbadboy12 · Answer

I would say I'm flattered but I'm taken even if I'm not. Sometime you have to let people down nicely

justabuddy · Answer

I use to give every girl a chance. I mean how can you judge someone you don't know. But rejection goes both ways. Someone will always reject you and you will reject someone. Best to do it will some humility.

Juxtapose · Answer

I try to give her at least a chance to change my mind if she's not repulsive.

Goahead76 · Answer

I try to remain friends, I had this recently and decided it's better to be polite about it.

Sjoerd85 · Answer

Just tell her, so she can move on and find another possible partner.

Lionman95 · Answer

I´d probably be confused since that never happened before.

PreferNot2Say · Answer

Well first of all, men and women cannot be just platonic friends. Your question confirms that.

SotiCoto · Answer

I don't. If I just ignore her, she'll get the hint. Or maybe she won't... but I'm ignoring her, so I don't care.

Kreneman · Answer

I use wisdom when I explain and it always work where we remain friends.

itsclearlynicholas · Answer

Now that I'm 30, I'll politely ignore it or I'll find somewhere else to shop lol 😆

jeremy_09 · Answer

Just say I have a girlfriend, then she knows I don't cheat and if I ever am interested in the future she'll already like me.

scott04sa22 · Answer

I rejected a coworker years back in the 2000s over lots of reasons. After the rejection she started dating her kids biological father again.

Pookie2626262 · Answer

I’m a very straight forward dude so I would simple just say i wasn’t interested

FuqUFggt · Answer

I go out on a date with them. Fuck them. Then change my number and never contact them again

KrakenAttackin · Answer

I have had this happen a few times and I just respond that I am not up for a relationship with anyone right now.

Robinhood73560 · Answer

See what you are talking about is as rare as blue moon but if I assume to be happening with me, in majority cases I would have said yes. ( Be sure that he isn't committed to anyone else)

CheefKeef · Answer

I try to remain friends. I'm currently in that situation. I've made it clear but she doesn't seem to get it. I continue talking but we don't go anywhere. 🤷🏽‍♂️

SINGLE GUYS: When a woman confesses that she’s interested in you (but you’re not interested in her), how do you respond?

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SINGLE GUYS: When a woman confesses that she’s interested in you (but you’re not interested in her), how do you respond?

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