Send These Texts Instead of Ghosting, Because You’re Way Better Than That

Three dates in, and things with Trent have been dreamy so far. He’s handsome and charming and has already mentioned his family’s lake house a couple times. But when five days go by without a single text, your brain turns into a Situation Room where every person at the table is a different version of your own neuroses. Screw it, you finally decide, I’ll text him again. Crickets. A week later, you make the call: Trent ghosted.

Don’t be like Trent. There are very few valid reasons to ghost (concern about your safety being the main one). As an adult, it’s inexcusable to leave someone on read when it takes, like, 15 seconds to compose a simple text. But maybe you need some help—anti-ghost training wheels, if you will. In an effort to make ghosting extinct by the end of the year, here are 20 different ways to tell someone you aren’t interested without just leaving them to figure it out on their own.

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For the person you went on one date with who keeps following up:

“It was really nice meeting you, but I just don’t see this working.”

                                    or

“It was nice meeting you, but I am not interested. Thanks for dinner!”

 

For the person you went on a few dates with and just aren’t interested in:

“I loved spending time with you, but I don’t think it’s going to work in the long run.”

                                or

“I had a lot of fun with you, but I don’t think we’re compatible.”

 

For the person who feels more like a good friend than a romantic partner:

“It’s been super fun hanging out with you, but I think I get more of a friend vibe between us. I would love to still hang out, if you’re down!”

                              or

“I think you’re really cool but don’t think I’m in the same place as you are right now. I’d love to continue hanging out as friends though!”

For the person who likes you more than you like them:

“I think you’re great, but we just want different things and I don’t think it’s going to work.”

                          or

“It’s been nice getting to know you, but the more time we spend together, the more I realize we’re just on different pages.”

 

For the person who has a finance job, sleeps on a blow-up mattress, and only texts after midnight:

“I have a lot going on right now and just need to focus on myself. Thanks for understanding!”

                          or

“Sorry, your lifestyle is a little too chaotic for me—I’m not interested!”

For the person who just really wasn’t good in bed:

“Hey, it’s been a while since I’ve had this kind of intimacy with someone and it made me realize I’m not super ready for a relationship, I’m sorry!”

                        or

“You’re great, but I don’t really feel a romantic connection.”

 

For the person whose politics are drastically different than your own:

“I am so sorry, but with your sun in Virgo and mine in Gemini, it’s just not going to work for me.”

                        or

“Sorry, but I literally cannot date someone who voted for Trump. We have completely different values. It’s a no for me!”

For the person who isn’t as cool as the other person you recently went on a date with:

“To be honest, I think you’re really sweet, but I met someone else and I want to focus on that. Sorry!”

                        or

“Thanks for hanging out the other night, but I have to be honest and tell you I have to see where things go with this other person.”

For the person you’ve led on for far too long because you were trying to decide if you liked them:

“I am really sorry to do this, but the more we hang out, the more I realize the spark is missing between us. I hope you understand.”

                      or

“I’m sure you feel the same way, but as much fun as I’ve had the past few weeks, I don’t see this working out long-term.”

 

And finally, for the person who wasn’t who you thought they were (i.e., they turned out to be an asshole undeserving of your time):

*blocks number*