Ask QC: What’s the Best Way to Break Up With Someone?

Dear Ask QC,

My question is a fairly simple one. I’ve been dating a guy for six months. It’s never been overly serious, but I think the relationship has gone stale. I’m wondering what the best way to break up with him is.

I should clarify. I still think he’s a great guy, and we’ve never done anything to hurt each other. It’s just becoming increasingly clear that he’s not “the one,” and I’m fairly certain that it’s in neither of our best interests to stay in a dead-end relationship for the sake of being in a relationship. So what do I do? Is there a way to approach the situation that has the highest probability of us remaining friends? What is the most tactful way to break up with someone?

Thanks,

Joe Mess

Hi Joe Mess. Thank you so much for your question and concerns. My sneaking suspicion is that breakups always contain a certain level of messiness, no matter how you go about it. Be careful, though. Not wanting to be the bad guy is usually what ends up making someone the bad guy. Honesty is key. What advice do you have for him, QCers? Anyone want to share stories about a particularly clean or messy breakup? We’ve all got messy breakup stories, don’t we?
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