Straight Girl Trick #5824*

Suggest "seeing other people" only if you are currently dating someone you know will not see other people. That way, you have a fall-back for when you are alone on a holiday/birthday or are feeling lonely or need a crutch in social situations. Bonus: you never need to reciprocate. In this situation you also have a go-to for when you are feeling unloved and need a self-esteem boost.

Since this boy still wants to be with only you, in his head and heart he'll believe that if he sticks this through he'll "get" you back. You and I know this isn't true, that you'll date him again only if you get desperate since "seeing other people" is just a code phrase for "keeping you around until I find somebody better," but he never needs to know this.

Inevitably, he'll begin to drift away, pay attention to other girls, maybe even catch on to your game. Here are some tips to help delay this:

1. Send random yet often text messages about something you saw/heard that made you think of him.
2. Leave "thinking of you" posts on his Facebook wall or comment often on his posts.
3. Wear clothes you know he likes to see you in when using/seeing him.
4. Bring up as many "remember when we" comments in conversations with him as possible.
5. Invite him out on "dates" or over to your place to hang out. Of course these are not really dates. You want to maintain your, um, friendship. It's very important to you.
6. After these dates, if you are looking for some nooky or REALLY want to keep him hooked, have some nooky.

If he's a giver, which he likely is if he's still around, while completing steps 1-6 make him believe the door is still open a bit by talking about how you are confused by your feelings for him and need some time to figure it out.

Worst case scenario: He starts to actually see other people. When this happens, call him and tell him you want to get back together. Then, if you do get back together, just date for a bit and repeat this cycle. If he chooses the other girl, call a little later and lay it on really thick. Maybe even mention that you wanted to marry him (especially if he has brought up marriage in the past). Then, if you get back together, just date for a bit and repeat this cycle. Unless you've already found another boy to fill this role. If so, you know the drill.

So go get him girl, you deserve this one-way relationship. After all, it's not your fault he still loves you (or is it? wink, wink).



*If you are concerned with being a decent and unhorrible person, you may want to ignore this advice.