When he is a pest...

Jan 30, 2009

WHEN Ruth decided, her relationship with her boyfriend was over, she stopped taking his calls. However, the trick failed. He came home concerned about her health since she had not picked his calls.

You loved him, but now you loathe and would like to let him go. Telling him is not easy; you don’t want to make enemies or risk being a victim of a crime of passion. SUSAN MUYIYI gives you tips on how to tread this road

WHEN Ruth decided, her relationship with her boyfriend was over, she stopped taking his calls. However, the trick failed. He came home concerned about her health since she had not picked his calls.

Her ‘plan B’ was to prepare a farewell speech whenever she had a date with her boyfriend. But he seemed to have read her mind and gave her a gift that made her reconsider. The relationship dragged on for more months.

However, when she had had enough, for the lack of what to say, Ruth borrowed from the movies: “You are a nice guy. But I can’t continue with this relationship. You will get someone better. You deserve someone better,’ she said. He got the point.

As an afterthought, Ruth adds that for the tactic to be effective, “Withdraw emotionally, and then tell him it is over. It will be easier than it coming out of the blue.” She was recently invited to his wedding.

In Jennifer’s case, her tactic was to invite a friend whenever he wanted some privacy and he did not cling.
“Just tell him off,” advises Rhoda who has done it so more times than she cares to remember.

“I concentrate on the man’s bad features. It helps me assure him of my lack of interest,” she adds.
During my maiden days in the newsroom a certain man offered to be of help.

This ‘friend’ had so much to offer. He decided who got a paper and he relished the moments when those desperate for one pleaded. Whenever I picked mine, he winced seductively. It was time up for ‘boy friend’ but how would I let him know without burning my bridges. One day, I just did.

“I don’t like the strings you attach to offering a free newspaper. I am done,” I firmly said. You guessed right the newspaper and hand shake ceased. I later learnt he was a messenger and it was his responsibility to deliver the newspapers.

Next week, watch this space for tips on how to keep the office gossip at bay

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});