
Man or woman, sexy or frumpy, unwanted romantic advances and date requests are probably a serious hassle. We wouldn’t know because the last time someone asked us on a date was 1972, but we’re fairly certain if someone we didn’t like asked us out, we’d struggle to come up with a tactful rejection.
So, for those of you who are asked out with any kind of regularity, you can commit the following awesome rejection lines courtesy of Japanese Internet users to memory so you’ve always got a snappy response to let your jilted would-have-been stalker down easy.
The “college in another prefecture” excuse
“A guy I asked out told me he’d love to, but he was just about to ship off to college in another prefecture. I couldn’t argue with that,” said a teen girl who got rejected. Note that this excuse only works up to the age of 20 or so, because, “Sorry, but I’m auditing some adult education classes in Oklahoma” just doesn’t have the same romantic vibe.
The “I really like you, but…” excuse
There are various ways to play this, with the classic example being “I really would, but I’ve already got a girlfriend/boyfriend.” This lets the rejectee know you like them just fine, but the circumstances just aren’t right. More creative efforts include, “I really like you, but I’m so scared of ruining what we have now.”
Of course, you could go for broke with an excuse so bizarre the rejectee will be shocked to the point of forgetting all about you. “I really like you a lot, but I’m afraid I’m madly in love with my anime girl body pillow,” might work.
The “It’s not you, it’s me” excuse
One 20-something female recalled a boy telling her, “I just know I don’t have what it takes to make you happy and I think you deserve better.” Another said she got rejected by a guy who said he needed to concentrate on work so he could be successful and maybe one day be her perfect man.
The “I can’t forget the one” excuse
There’s something just so romantic about stoically waiting for the one that got away to come back into your life that this excuse is guaranteed to make the jiltee love you even more and instantly forgive your on-the-spot rejection.
The “I don’t date (insert nationality)” excuse
Otherwise known as the blatant racism option. You could also take this same concept and run with it, identifying your dream man/woman as someone who meets some impossible-to-achieve standard you have: “I only date digital representations of real women and/or janitorial equipment,” or something to that effect.
Of course, there are other ways to reject a date request. Personally, I’m hoping to one day use the “wait until someone who has a crush on you is approaching, then quickly turn away and hug yourself so it looks like you’re passionately making out with someone” technique, but I have a feeling that wouldn’t go over as smoothly as the above excuses.
Source: Niconico News


Dating simulator girlfriends reject human boyfriends’ kisses due to game/heartbreaking bug
How women can shoot down dessert dates before they’re even invited, according to Japanese Twitter
Five ways guys blow their chances at singles’ parties in Japan
Want to date RocketNews24’s most eligible bachelor? Here’s your chance! 【Contest】
Gundam teams up with 300-year-old daruma maker for wood-carved anime mecha figures[Photos]
Tokyo’s new extra-expensive ramen restaurant is dividing opinions, so we tried a bowl
Japan’s instant ramen snack theme park features an athletic course even adults can enjoy
Used chopsticks upgraded from “waste” to “valuable material” by Kawasaki City thanks to ChopValue
Pizza Hut Japan’s drinkable curry pizza is here – Is it all we dreamed it would be?[Taste test]
Krispy Kreme releases new limited-edition fox doughnuts at only four stores in Japan
Japanese temple burns to the ground, fire burning inside for 1,200 years unharmed
Bizarre Japanese vending machine sells “Peace and Equality” and “Angels and Demons”
Kanji ice cream becomes a sell-out hit in Japan
Starbucks Japan hoping fans will go bananas for its new mottainai banana affogato Frappuccino
Japan has a new cute and clever sunblock for cat lovers
Tokyo’s life-size Gundam anime mecha statue will be removed this summer
This Tokyo Station sweets sensation sells out daily, but we finally got our hands on it
Japan’s izakaya pubs closing at record pace, failing to attract foreign tourists
Krispy Kreme Japan is bringing two special donuts to the most-forgotten big city in the country
Ichiraku Ramen-inspired ramen sets from Naruto anime pay homage to Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura
The story of our reporter P.K. Sanjun’s heart attack
The average age of Japan’s hikikomori shut-ins is getting older, survey shows
Japan enters Golden Week vacation period, survey shows one in three plan to ride it out at home
New Kyoto Converse sneakers celebrate Japan with traditional kimono fabrics for your feet
Japan’s new Pokémon jackets give you the look and powers of the Kanto starter trio
Japan now has gyoza doughnuts, and they taste like no other doughnut we’ve tried before
Tifa’s Final Fantasy VII bar is going to pop up in real-world Tokyo
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
11 ways to have a great Christmas date…when your date is a bowl of instant noodles
King of Japan’s bar hosts shares idea for a sure-fire romantic date
Educator offers advice for Japanese schoolgirls who get asked out by their teachers
New smartphone game allows you to date the man, monkey, or dessert of your dreams
Women in Japan reveal their worst dating experiences
There’s a surprising potential risk that’s making more Japanese youth turn to dating apps
We asked: “What are the hardest and best things about dating a Japanese person?”
The time we (almost certainly) got scammed by a dating app in Tokyo’s bar district
Man selling ring intended for girlfriend who dumped him gets no sympathy from potential buyer
Japanese company will ask your crush out on a date for you if you’re too shy to do it yourself
Is it OK to take your girlfriend to Yoshinoya on a date?
Roughly 40 percent of single Japanese men in their 20s have never been on a date, survey says
“He wore Uniqlo to meet me!” Japanese woman shares petty bad date story, Internet bites back
Does a guy lose all chance with a Japanese woman if he doesn’t pay for the first date?【Survey】
Japanese college women pick between men who’re short and handsome or tall and plain in survey