How to gently say no to a friend who asks you out on a date?

so i went shopping with a friend today, totally should have known something was up since no one really asks me for fashion advice, especially my guy friends.. anyway we are hanging out and its going great till the moment he tells me he likes me a lot more then a friend and asks if I would ever consider going out with him...

he is one of my closest friends and now I feel like I am going to lose him if I say no.. I have no interest in dating anyone though.

any advice?

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sarabee1995 · 26-30, FVIP

That's going to be hard. After you let him down gently, he's going to be embarrassed. It will be hard to maintain the friendship unless you put a lot of effort into the friendship after you let him down.

PlumBerries · 31-35, F

I hope he wont be embarrassed. would feel really bad if he is.. argh this is going to be really hard.. thanks for the reply :)

sarabee1995 · 26-30, FVIP

@PlumBerries Of course he will be.

He's opened himself up and told you he likes you.

You're going to be honest and tell him you don't feel the same way.

He will be embarrassed.

So you need to recognize that's going to happen and really push the friendship side of things. Make sure he knows you're NOT embarrassed and want to spend time with him.

PlumBerries · 31-35, F

that makes sense. I never really thought of it that way. I was more thinking angry not embarrassed.. but you make more sense.

thank you, I will try my best in doing that

sarabee1995 · 26-30, FVIP

@PlumBerries Well, there's the chance of angry too, but only if he's a certain kind of immature. There's no legit reason for him to be mad at you.