How to Nicely Tell Someone You Don't Want to Date

Keep things simple by saying, "No thank you," says social psychologist Jeremy Nicholson in an article for "Psychology Today." If you want to elaborate, you might say, "You have been so kind to me, but I don't have feelings like that for you," or "I don't feel a relationship would work for us." If the other person has asked you out on a date -- such as to a school dance -- you can also politely turn him or her down by saying something like, "I'm sorry, but someone already asked me," or "I have plans already, but I'll ask my friends if anyone is looking for a date," according to the "Seventeen" magazine article "How to Turn Down a Date Without Hurting Him." If you do feel the need to make up an excuse, make sure it is an honest one. If it's not, and the person finds out, it can be very hurtful.