Dealing With Rejection

Unfortunately, there will always be dating situations where one person is much keener than the other, leading to someone being rejected. Rejection is never an easy thing to take or hand out, but like it or not, it's all an essential part of dating.

Being Rejected

Even if you felt the date went extremely well, if the feeling wasn't mutual then you just need to accept that fact. If there isn't the initial spark between two people, it's highly unlikely that things will ever change. There's really no point thinking that you can change someone's mind about you - if they say that they'd like to just stay friends, then that's exactly what they mean. Don't agree to become friends hoping that one day they might change their mind and fall in love with you.

Although being rejected is difficult, you can look at it in two ways - you can brood about it and make yourself feel even more miserable, or you can just accept it and move on. Sound off to your friends or have a good cry about what's happened, but then try to look at the situation positively. No one said life or dating is easy. But if you have the approach that you're going to enjoy your life no matter what, then who knows what might happen?

Rejecting a Date

If no amount of hint dropping that you're not interested has any effect, then it's important that you bite the bullet and spell it out. It may seem more difficult at the time but you'll be glad you did so in the long run. Don't string someone along if you don't like them and say 'Sure, let's meet up again - I'll phone you' if you have absolutely no intention of doing so. Just be straight about it. Be kind and tactful, but don't build up their hopes if you're not planning on seeing them again. Simply explain that although you think that they're a great person, you can't see the relationship developing into anything further.

Of course, if you're using a dating agency, you can get them to do your dirty work for you. You simply ring them up, give them your feedback and ask to hear theirs. If it's negative either way you'll get to know, and you can move on from there ... Simple! Dating services may be seen as less romantic than chance encounters but they do cut out a great deal of time-wasting.