Let Her Go Easy: Avoid Going Down in the Break-Up Hall of Fame

Breaking up is never easy, but there are some things you can do to avoid going down in the Worst Break-Up Hall of Fame.

Rule Number One: Don't do it on a Post-It Note.

Rule Number Two: Grow Some Balls.
If you've laughed and loved with this woman, you owe her more than complete silence. Falling off the face of the earth and never returning her calls is the move of an utter coward and just leaves her waiting around confused. Dropping an e-mail or text message is almost as bad. And unless you've suddenly moved to Timbuktu (for real, not in the line you give her to explain your disappearance) a phone call is also unacceptable. Give her the courtesy of telling her face to face.

Rule Number Three: Be honest.
Don't tell her every single reason she annoys you, and don't do your impersonation of her PMS-twin to prove any points. Do give her one or two clear reasons to help her understand why you don't see a future. Be brief, but be firm. Don't leave a loophole to soften the blow or she may grasp onto that false hope. Tell her what she needs to know to move on with her life quickly.

Rule Number Four: Think Switzerland.
Pick a neutral location to break the news to her. Avoid anywhere romantic, anywhere you and she have made previous memories, and anywhere overly populated. It's a good idea to meet her somewhere so she can leave at will and not feel trapped. Dinner dates may backfire because of frequent visits from the waiter and other guests sitting close by. Also, you either have to break the news early and may end up paying for a meal nobody eats, or sit through torturous small-talk to tell her at the end.