How to End Things After a One-Night Stand (Without Looking Like a Jerk)
No Ghosting, No Games: The Right Way to Say Goodbye After a Hookup
Let’s talk simply and honestly today:
After a one-night stand, if the girl wants to meet up again or develop things further—but you’re just not feeling it and don’t want to see her again—how can you reject her clearly and respectfully?
To be real, in most cases, if you don’t reach out, the girl will gradually move on anyway.
But there are always a few who really catch feelings and keep messaging you, over and over.
If you try to just “drag it out” at this point, it actually creates more headaches.
A lot of guys typically go with one of three routes:
Say nothing—just leave her on read and hope she gives up.
Use the “I’ve been really busy lately” or “I’m not in a good place” excuse to stall and dodge.
Say “I just don’t feel a spark between us” and blame it on lack of chemistry.
Most people think the “I’m busy” excuse is the safest—but honestly, I think it’s the worst.
Because girls can see right through it. She’ll either wait for you to be “less busy” or start pressing:
“So what about when you’re not busy?”
Saying “I’m not feeling it” isn’t great either—she might start wondering:
“Oh, you’re not into me? What did I do wrong?”
That just makes the exit messier.
So, the method I recommend—and the one I personally use—is this:
Just say you met someone else, and you think she’s a better fit.
Even if it’s not true, it doesn’t matter.
Blaming it on an external reason is way better than ghosting or making excuses.
Here’s how I usually phrase it:
“Hey, sorry for the late reply. I wanted to be upfront with you — I’ve met someone else recently who I feel is a better fit for me, so I think it’s best we leave it here. I really enjoyed that night with you and wish you all the best.”
Why say it like that?
First, it doesn’t make her feel like she wasn’t good enough. She won’t start overthinking what she “did wrong.”
Second, most girls have a moral compass—if you tell her you met someone else, she’s less likely to keep chasing and make things awkward.
Third, if you ever get seen out with someone else later—especially if you’re in the same social circle—at least she won’t feel blindsided or betrayed. She already knows what’s up. So, way less possible drama.
At the end of the day, the “nice guy card” is still the cleanest form of rejection, right?
The key to this approach is: clear, direct, no false hope, and leaves her with dignity.
Way more solid than “I’m just busy” or “I don’t feel it.”
TL;DR:
Don’t say “I’m busy.” It’s weak.
Don’t say “I’m not into you.” That just invites more drama and emotional entanglement.
Just say “I met someone else.” Blame it on timing, fate, or whatever—it lands better.
And once you say it, she’ll get the message and move on.
This is the phrase I use most often when I need to respectfully reject someone after a one-night stand.
Hope it helps any of you guys who might need it.