Going out on dates with a new guy is full of excitement, a thrilling mish-mash of feelings ranging from stomach tightening nerves to ridiculous grin inducing happiness.

Not to mention the fun of delivering extensive blow-by-blow accounts of email/phone call/text message exchanges in detail to any girl friends who'll listen and allow you a spate of mentionitis!

Unfortunately, these first-flush blind-to-reality "he's so great" feelings do not always last beyond a couple of dates, and there are bound to be times when you need to call it off with a guy.

If this becomes apparent, it's "break up" time. While persistence can pay off, if you're sure it's going nowhere bite the bullet and move on.

The sudden ending of Katie Holmes' relationship with Chris Klein has led to her "blissfully" happy engagement to Tom Cruise, and the demise of the "Bennifer" couple has led to both J-Lo and Ben Affleck being happily married now. In short, carrying on if you don't get on that well will waste both your time.

So how do you "break up" with a guy if you aren't officially "going out" with him in the first place?

If you really haven't been on many dates, a phone call or email would be a good method of explaining why you don't want to see them anymore. A text message may be a little impersonal, and face-to-face too intimate-try to consider the method of communication you think the boy would use if things were reversed, and go for that.

It is probably best not to give a guy a list of specific reasons for breaking it off. Explaining that his obsession with his car, or his scruffy dress sense were endearing to begin with but now drive you mad will either cause a row, or be hurtful-either way, it won't make you appear or feel any better.

Finally, as soon as possible after you decide to stop dating someone, let him know. Carrying on seeing a guy when you know your heart isn't in it is not fair on either of you, and there is never really going to be a "good time".

When it comes to online chat partners, there really are more fish in the sea, so if it's not going to work out, move on-the chances are you will both meet someone more fun if you keep on looking!




? Adfero Ltd