Have you had that not-so-special someone in your life that you don’t want to hang out with but is always around anyway? Or maybe that someone wasn’t even someone you hung out with, he just kept showing up everywhere you did, or kept texting or calling you? Some people would call someone like that a stalker. I don’t like to call people names that might hurt their feelings. I’d rather just identify that person as someone I need to avoid, whether it’s online or in school or whatever. I mean, if you went up to a person who was creeping you out and said, “Shut up and stop stalking me,” well, even though it’s how you’re feeling, that would be mean.

I don’t do mean very well.

Anyway, don’t feel weirded out by that guy that you’re not that into who’s staring at you/texting you all the time. I mean, if you’re not going to report him to your teacher or your boss or whatever, here are some  tips that will help you avoid the creep without hurting anyone’s feelings.

1. The Unflattering Photo

You see this photo of me? Who wants to be daydreaming about this noise? See my point? When the person obsessing about you wants to have a photo of you, don’t send him anything. It’s just leading him on. Not cool. But if you were going to send a photo, send an unflattering shot of yourself. I know, I know, no one wants an unflattering photo of herself out there. But if you don’t have the guts to stay, “Step Off”, this could do the trick.

2. The Break Away

If you find yourself in the situation I was in, where the boy kept asking you out and you kept saying no, and the boy was all like, “Why don’t you re-think your answer?”, well, my suggestion is that you smile and say, G2G. Say you need to get to art class. Or that your Mom is waiting for you. Or that you just have to go. Because the longer you stand there listening to the person try to talk you into liking him, the longer you are standing there. You need to break away from him as soon as possible. Because he’s not hearing your No. He’s thinking, Awww, she’ll change her mind. So don’t waste his time: Get Away From Him.

3. The Text Silent Treatment

Sometimes a boy will just keep texting you. Guess what? You don’t have to text back. Give him the Text Silent Treatment. He won’t know that you’re texting everyone else.

4. Ick, Ick, Ick

Nothing is grosser than a rash. Okay, you know what’s worse? When you show your gross rash to the guy who likes you and you want to make him not like you. This will immediately creep him out and he’ll be like, “Buh-bye!”

5. Fresh Direct

Okay, if all the silly games don’t work, be direct but don’t be mean. “Please hear me when I say I will never ever be able to go out with you.”  He may say, “But you’ll change your mind!” But stay firm, even if he asks for a reason. Don’t tell him he’s not cool or not cute or not-whatever-enough. Just say No.

What do you do when you need to avoid someone? Let us know here! And please, give me a holla on my blog or on Twitter @rubykarp or my Facebook page!