Avoiding touching them or flirting with them. Unfollowing them on social media. Avoiding spending one-on-one time with them. Staying busy with other people and friends. Saying “no” to any plans they try to make with you. Avoiding sitting next to them at work or in class.
If you really haven’t known the other person for long and haven’t spent much time in-person together, then giving them a call or sending an email would be appropriate. [8] X Research source
If you’ve only known them for a few weeks, you can say, “I think you’re a good person, but you and I have completely different interests, friend groups, and lifestyles. I’d rather just go our separate ways. ”[11] X Research source If you’ve known the person for longer, organize your thoughts beforehand. Be clear in your own mind about what exactly led you to this decision, whether it’s because they’re a really good friend, because you’re with someone else, or because they’re a co-worker. Whatever your reasons, you can keep saying to them, “This isn’t working for me. ” This will keep your conversation with the other person on track. [12] X Research source
Try to write them an email instead of talking to them in-person, this way you won’t have to be alone with them. Try to address your concerns as they come up. For example, if you notice the other person looking at you or saying inappropriate things, you can say, “I’m not comfortable with that,” “Please stop, I’m not interested,” or “Please don’t say that to me. ”[15] X Research source
Make it clear to your supervisor, parent, or other authority figure that you’ve done everything possible to discourage the other person’s attention and behavior. [16] X Research source
Block them, which will prevent them from trying to “friend” you in the future. Unfriend them. Unfollow them, which will still allow you to remain friends, but will hide them from your newsfeed. Customize your sharing settings, which will allow you to block them from seeing whatever you don’t want them to see. Edit your timeline settings, which will allow you to block them from seeing anything posted to your timeline. Turn on the setting that allows you to review posts friends tag you in before they’re posted to your timeline.
