You’re just hanging out with a guy from your biology class, workmate, or maybe your long-time friend, and out of nowhere he moves closer to you and tells you “I really want to kiss you”. But hold up, you guys aren’t dating, so what’s up with that?
You’re flattered, sure, but also hella confused. How will this change your friendship? Will others start to gossip? Could this lead to something more serious?
And let’s not even start on the anxiety of how to respond without sounding like a total dork. Relax, deep breaths.
You’re not the first to face this and definitely won’t be the last. Together, we’ll explore how to handle this without losing your cool or your friend.
Why Does He Want to Kiss Me If We’re Not Dating?
So, here’s the deal. It’s not uncommon for people to develop crushes or feel a physical attraction even if they’re not dating. Maybe he’s been feeling the chemistry during your late-night study sessions or during your coffee runs.
Perhaps he thinks there’s a spark between you two. Or maybe he is just a bit too tipsy and wants to have some fun with you without thinking of potential consequences.
But this isn’t just about him and his feelings, it’s about you too. Your comfort, your boundaries, and your feelings are also important.
Even if a part of you is curious, you don’t have to act on it. Just because someone wants to kiss you doesn’t automatically mean you owe them anything.
Don’t miss: 100+ Ways to Say NO to a Guy Who Wants to Sleep With You
Examples of What to Say When He Wants to Kiss You But You’re Not Dating
- The Polite Decline: “I’m really flattered, but I don’t think of you that way. I hope you understand.”
- Friend Zone Alert: “I value our friendship too much to complicate it with a kiss.”
- Honesty: “I’m not feeling that kind of chemistry, sorry!”
- Keep It Casual: “I think we’re great as friends, let’s not go messing that up.”
- Straight-Up: “I’m not interested in you in that way, just to be clear.”
- Blunt with a Smile: “How about a high-five instead?”
- The Compliment: “You’re awesome, but I don’t want to kiss you. Still friends?”
- Future Forward: “I wouldn’t want to spoil the awesome relationship we might have down the line.”
- Gracious but Firm: “Thank you, but I’d rather we stay friends.”
- The Tactful Turn-Down: “I think we have different ideas about what our friendship means.”
- The Boundary Setter: “I’m not comfortable with that, let’s keep it platonic.”
- The Confidant: “Let’s not blur lines; we’re buddies, not bae’s.”
- Gentle Letdown: “I like where we’re at now, no need to add kissing to the mix.”
- It’s Not You, It’s Me: “I’m not in a place where I want to kiss anyone, sorry.”
- Dodging with Dignity: “I’m saving my kisses for someone I’m dating, sorry!”
Don’t miss: When to Sleep With a Guy You Are Dating?
More Examples of How to Reject a Kiss
1. “I’m honored, but I think we’re better off as friends.”
2. “Kissing can complicate things, and I like to keep things simple.”
3. “Just to be crystal clear, I like to keep things between us platonic.”
4. “I respect you too much to mislead you with a kiss.”
5. “You’re like a brother to me, and I can’t kiss my brother!”
6. “I don’t want to kiss and make it weird”
7. “I’m not in a place where I want to blur lines with anyone.”
8. “Imagine how awkward our group hangouts would be after that!”
9. “Let’s stick to high-fives and hugs, it’s safer for us both.”
10. “Let’s not cross that line and regret it.”
11. “I’d hate for us to look back and wish we hadn’t kissed.”
12. “Kissing seems like a step towards something I’m not looking for.”
13. “Let’s not cross that line and make things awkward.”
14. “Why ruin a great friendship with a kiss?”
15. “I think we should stick to friendly hugs, not kisses.”
16. “I don’t want to have to avoid you tomorrow because of a kiss today.”
17. “Let’s not blur the lines – I like them just where they are.”
18. “I don’t think a kiss is worth the potential awkwardness afterward.”
19. “I prefer to save my kisses for a different type of relationship.”
20. “Let’s keep things drama-free – no kissing.”
21. “I have a personal policy of not getting physical with friends”
22. “Let’s not complicate a good thing; I like what we have now.”
23. “For me, a kiss is a sign of something more serious, and I don’t see us that way.”
24. “I think it’s important to keep a clear distinction between friends and more-than-friends.”
25. “I feel like a kiss could lead to misunderstandings, and I want to avoid that.”
26. “I prefer to keep our relationship in the friend zone, plain and simple.”
27. “I believe in keeping friendship and physical affection separate.”
28. “A kiss seems a bit out of place for us, don’t you think?”
29. “I don’t want to introduce any confusion to our friendship, so I think kissing is off the table.”
30. “I’m just not comfortable taking our friendship in that direction.”
Read next: 30 Things Guys Think of Their Female Friends
