Home > Articles > How To Reject Someone Politely

How To Reject Someone Politely

    Rejection is hard, whether you're the one doing the rejecting or on the receiving end of being rejected, it hurts. Either way, the person who has been rejected is usually left in a worse off state, questioning "what did I do wrong?" or "am I not good enough?". That is because the one doing the rejecting has not respectfully handled things to minimise those thoughts. While on the subject of disrespectful ways to handle rejecting someone...ghosting (cutting all contact with no explanation), it can seem like the easiest option but let me tell you; it is...for you...but incredibly hurtful for the person.

    So put your adult pants on and check out these helpful tips from a recent Reddit thread, on how to reject someone politely when they just don't float your boat.

    Keep It Super Simple

    "Thanks, I'm flattered but not interested/available."

    — amgov

    You Don't Own Them An Explanation

    Just tell them you're not interested. You don't have to get into it any more than that. It's not harsh, it's just direct. Rejection sucks no matter how much you sugar-coated so you may as well be clear.

    "No thank you, I'm not interested."

    — jewelrider

    Keep Things General

    Don't quote personal traits as reasons for rejection. It is seen as a personal attack. you can suggest that you are incompatible instead

    — anothermeanguy

    Be As Clear As Possible

    I think this line works, saves face for everyone, is super clear, and gets the message across

    "I'm sorry, I just didn't feel a connection."

    — GenderNeutralPat

    Remember That, If They Push Further, They're Acting Rude — You Aren't

    You just say something like, "Sorry, I'm not interested." or "No."

    If you want to be extra gentle about it, you can say something like, "I'm flattered, but not interested.", "No, thank you.", or "Thank you for asking, but I'm not interested." If they push for anything beyond that, they are the ones being rude.

    — nevertruly

    Tell Them You're Not Interested

    "Sorry, not interested."

    It is best to be as honest and blunt as possible. I find that sugar-coating it too much (ex "I'm just not into a relationship right now") won't give them the right message and they are more likely to sit around and wait for you to be ready. Clear communication is best. You also don't need to give a reason, though. Just say "not interested". If they push for a reason, repeat the statement and cut off communication.

    — 11summer

    Accept The Fact That You're Going To Hurt Them

    No matter what you tell, they're going to feel upset. All you can do is reduce the impact it has on them by emphasising why you decided to leave them, and if it's their fault, tell them about it so they can better themselves and move on.

    The more you sugar coat it, the longer it will hurt then. Get straight with your intention to speak with them and leave them with a positive note. That's all you can do. What they do next is up to them and them only.

    — Memestranaut

    Just Simply Say "No."

    "No thank you."

    You don't need to explain yourself. You don't need to defend yourself. If they press about reasons, tell them you're not feeling it, and that that won't change. If they press more after that, they're rude, and you can stop being nice to them.

    — Svataben

    Go With The Golden Rule And Treat Them The Way You'd Like To Be Treated

    Maybe just reject them the way you'd prefer to be rejected when you're doing the asking, Golden Rule-style.

    — VistaVizion

    Tell Them You Have No Chemistry

    You're really great, but I don't feel we have chemistry.

    — LAgate

    How do you handle rejecting someone politely? Let us know in the comments below?




    Comments
    Bhuzz

    It's always been hard for me to reject someone, whether in person or otherwise. On this site, I am being contacted by women far too young for me (they need to be at least 40). So I thank them for their interest (they are usually beautiful and I tell them that), and tell them they are too young for me. I hope they go away feeling good about themselves!

    pawangod005

    I really don’t know no one select me 

    pocketwatch285

    Thank you but Iam too busy these days to get toge

    coolshamsh956

    I'm sorry, I just didn't feel a connection."??

    comp192

    Most messages I get are canned and fake.  

    This site really disappoints. 

    shabz21

    Most people are not decent enuf to follow these simple etiquette. 

    guru69blr

    its realy nice

    arum1953

    No response received till date, then where is issue of accepting or rejecting.

    lialextra987Finedon

    My reply in people in whom I have no interest is shown below.
    Thankyou for your message(s) but I am fixed up now.  I wish you every success in finding someone suitable on this site.   Lia xx                  Polite, a simple explanation,

    jasmila001

    Hello

    irocz666

    You ARE SO RIGHT. LET YOUR NO BE NO, AND LET YOUR YES BE YES!!!

    AncyreMarmande

    Bonjour ;

    Patrick19Kettering

    Say thanks for the message but we are not close enough in every way to go any further.

    yadavb062

    Hi dear how are you doing now 

    chaman2site

    Hi

    AsianhotwifeCpl

    There are different degrees to rejection. Placing yourself in the position of having to reject people is the foundation of creating the problem. If your Profile is clear, concise and straightforward, then the number of people you will need to reject gets cut in half. First off your profile should clearly state straight out what your not interested!  If being contacted by, single males, persons who are over X years of age or under, one eyed one legged aliens, well then say that in your profile, and simply say you will not respond to contacts from those people. No need to reject them, just ignore, block and delete. They are the ones who are being rude by either not reading your profile or ignoring your personal criteria. When contacted by others who somehow fall into what your looking for, but are not todays cup of tea, then a simple Thank you but at this time we are not interested. You dont' owe them an explanation, any excuse you use other than the truth has negative possibilities etc. Personally we reply to those who even ignore our profile desires, and we send it before we block them. We don't owe them a response, and its not a response dripping with sweetness, but it is a response. While there is no need to be rude, there is also no need for our mailbox to be jammed with crap that we say we are not interested in to begin with. And if they cant follow or respect our Profile desires they probably wont respect our intimacy dos and donts. No need to bother with those types of people.....

    sunil123

    ??

    dervmanInverness

    It doesnt help if you get generated messages in your mailbox 

    AnnieShelby17

    Thanks

    Singhchandrash

    OK guy's good evening get injoy your life safely

    shastri

    honesty is the best policy