best way to break up with someone?

[TenderlyLovinglyByAGoat]

A short term thing, how would you end it (preferably without drama)?

If it's really short term I would end it my text.

If it was a proper relationship and you called each other boyfriend and girlfriend I would do it face to face, in a neutral place like a cafe. Keep it breif, don'rt get personal and hope no drama unfolds.

do you think it's really horrible to just let it fizzle out, by being busy and generally avoiding them until it becomes obvious?

Send a text...

"Welcome to Dumpsville. Population: you."

Fizzle out? Depends how casual it actually is. Much les time and energy consuming to just send a text saying something along the lines of "It was fun, but I can't really see it going anywhere, so for that reason, I'm OOT!" .. Dragons Den style. No but seriously, phone call or text if casual. Keep it brief, friendly but firm, and move on.

that IS horrible

text is not nice is it, although it is quick and to the point . . .

It depends how involved you were with the person. If it's only been a couple of dates, then letting it fizzle out is fine. If you'd agreed on monogamy and been seeing each other regularly for a couple of months, have the backbone and the decency to arrange a meet and say that it isn't working for you and you wish the other person all the best.

Though if the person is abusive or nuts or something, and you are frightened that s/he will physically attack you then do it by text if you need to for your own safety.

Oh I meant dumpsville was horrible

friendly and firm I can do I think, maybe over phone (has only been about a month I think but he is taking it v seriously so I will be humane as poss)

He's not abusive or nuts but he will go all 'what can I do/change to make it work then' so would rather not get into it at all if possible.

Do the decent thing, give him a call and say it's nothing to do with him but it isn't working out for you and it's been nice knowing him and you wish him all the best for the future.

If he wants any further explanation, just say that you've realised that you're not looking for any kind* of relationship with the opposite sex at the moment and, in order to prevent any conversation becoming prolonged, don't go into any more detail than this, say a very firm 'all the best, goodbye'.

*if you use words like 'committed', 'exclusive' or similar he may want to continue on the basis of 'just friends' or some such which will only mean you'll have to dump him again at a later date.

Oh right, a whiner. Do it over the phone then, and if he does start whining say firmly 'The relationship is over, have a nice life, goodbye' and hang up. If he makes a pest of himself, do feel free to tell him to fuck right off and don't feel sorry for him - you do not owe him a relationship and you have every right to dump someone you don't want to be with.

Izzy - if it's not to do with him - who the hell was she going out with?

SGVB - a Whiner Sorry - I get it - It's the It's not you it's me speech.