When you are not comfortable with the idea of spending time alone with a particular guy it is a sure sign that you need to use a quick one liner to give him the message. This will prevent you from committing the worst sin of them all... 'Leading him on'! If he is even a tad smart, he will get the message and back off. This does not mean that you can never look him in the eye in the future. Don't unnecessarily complicate matters and make things tense. Let it be as light hearted as possible. After a while, you can joke about it or just pretend that he never asked you out!

Family Excuses

My parents have a quota on the number of days in the week that I can go out and unfortunately I've already used up this week's: This excuse is to be used only if he does not know your parents well enough.

My parents are really conservative. They will get me married if they see me on dates with random guys: This will definitely scare him off, you won't ever have to deal with this boy again!

My brother just got back from a backpacking trip in the Himalayas and I promised him that I would spend time with him: The good sister excuse works perfectly with guys, especially since they are always a little wary of the girl's brother. They wouldn't want to mess with this one.

I am babysitting my niece/nephew that night: Make it sound like a commitment you can't get yourself out of. Works best for a concert date. If it is dinner or lunch choose another line.

My father insists on meeting every guy I interact with on a one-on-one sit down dinner at home before I can go on a date with him: Scary, huh! No prizes for guessing if he will call back or not.

Personal Excuses

Refuse to take him seriously, laugh it off every time he asks you: This one can be a bit hard to pull off but it works wonders if you do have an easygoing relationship with this guy!

I have this huge project to complete and it is going to take a while. As of now, it is on my top priority list: This should give him the message pretty bold and clear.

I hurt my ankle while working out this morning. It is going to be sore for a couple of days so I should give it as much rest as possible: You could use this as a quick response if you are talking to him on the phone and are sure he will not come over to help you nurse it.

I am sorry, but I have a boyfriend and he's really violent when he sees other men around me: This is for complete strangers or someone who doesn't know very much about you.

Give me your number and I will call you back: And then of course never call back. Repeat till desired effect is achieved.

Round Up Your Friends

I have a shopping date with my girl friends and there is no way I can get out of it: This is pretty safe and works well as he will notice your sense of loyalty and commitment so actually you can use it even if you just want to play hard to get.

My best friend is having a crisis and she needs me at random hours: Be firm about this one... he'll get the hint.

I am meeting my best friend's boy friend for coffee: Leave it at that. Let him wonder what this is all about!

I am babysitting my ex-boyfriend's dog that night: That's all you say. Let him ponder over this vague excuse till you cross a safe enough distance to laugh your heart out.

My friend and I have a pact to stay away from guys for the next two months. I will lose a friend if I go on a date with you: He'll have to go along, if he believes you that is! And if he doesn't, well he's got the hint.

And Now...Get Asked Out

Let's do the reverse now. Each one of us has a private fantasy about one guy we'd love to go on a date with, but he hasn't popped the question as yet. Here is how you can get a guy to ask you out.

Learn all about his favourite sport and the next time the topic comes up, sport a solid interest and knowledge on the subject. He will take the hint and offer to watch the next game together. And then you can take it from there!

Talk a lot about a movie he has not seen when he is around. Talk about all the good reviews it has gotten and how everybody ou know has seen it but him. Don't forget to emphasise that you have not seen it. This situation is not as rare as you may expect it to be.

Rave about a restaurant you recently ate at... An art exhibition (if he is into that sort of thing)... a store he may be interested in visiting or a play you know he would like to see. Establishing common interests is the key!

Begin a heated argument about something (you must have a solid understanding and knowledge about the subject) with him. He will inevitably be charmed by your intelligence and before you know it, you guys will have exchanged numbers and have fixed your next meeting to continue discussions!

Offer to buy him a drink the next time the two of you get talking at a bar. Be bold. He will be impressed and make a special effort.