Probably the hardest and most awkward thing you have to do in a relationship is tell the person you’ve been dating that things just aren’t working out. It’s tough. There’s really no right or wrong way to do it because either way you end up looking like the bad guy. It really all boils down to the way you do it, the words you say, and the sincerity in which you do it. Otherwise you just come off looking like a jerk off, and while things may have not worked out, I highly doubt you really want to hurt someone especially once things have ended.

First off, and this is most likely the most important thing I will say, do it in person. Under no circumstances, and I mean none, do you break up with someone via, text, email, Facebook, myspace, whatever medium you think will work you’re wrong. The only way to end something is to be a fucking man and do it in person. Trust me. Yea, it will suck. Nobody wants to watch someone cry and it’s a very uncomfortable conversation to have, but at the end of the day it’s the right thing to do.

Second, be honest. I realize a lot of times when you end a relationship you’re looking for the right words to say, or the right chord to strike, but the simple fact of the matter is that there is no such thing. No matter what you say, no matter how you do it, you’re still gonna look bad and things are going to never go according to plan. So when I say be honest, I mean be honest. Tell her that you don’t love her anymore, or that you found someone else, whatever the case may be. You owe the other person the benefit of you being honest. It’s not a hard thing to do, so just do it.

And lastly, the most important thing you can do when breaking up with someone is doing so gently. I don’t mean sugar coating the fact that things are over and maybe you will get back together in the future. I just mean do it with a little bit of heart. Be open and honest and don’t for a second lie to the person because they do not deserve that. If there is no chance you would ever go out with them again, tell them that. Giving someone lost hope for no reason is a terrible, mean thing to do. Breaking up is hard to do, it’s difficult for both partners but especially so for the person getting dumped. Do it the right way and at least then maybe one day in the future you can be friends.