It’s always awkward when someone asks for your number and you don’t want to give it to them, so here's 6 ways to let him/ her down gently while protecting yourself:
- The direct approach. Keep it short and sweet by simply saying: “Thanks, but I’m not interested.”
- Tell them it’s just bad timing. Say something like: "Thanks, that's nice of you, but I'm actually not in a good place to date right now. So I have to say no."
- Stranger danger. Most people will understand if you tell them: "I'm sorry, but I don’t give out my number to people I just met anymore. I had a really bad experience in the past."
- Offer an alternative. Say, "You know what? I don't actually give out my number anymore, but I would be happy to take yours."
- Keep your tone casual. It doesn’t get easier than a friendly, "Nah, thanks though.”
- Get a Google number. Plan ahead by signing up for a Google Voice account and save the number to be your own personal rejection hotline. This works well for someone who just won’t take no for an answer, so you can tell them: "Sure, here's my number: [insert your Google Voice number].” And the best part? It’s really easy to block them if you decide to later.
Source: Elite Daily; photo: Getty Images