Things to know

Regularly read by 50,000+ readers in over 140 countries around the world, "Dear Bro Jo" is published several times a month.

This is column is just one guy's opinion, and while he does his best to keep what he thinks, says and writes in-line with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, "Dear Bro Jo" is not an LDS Church website. (And Sister Jo thinks you should know that he's sometimes wrong, and often way too opinionated for his own good.)

Nothing here is meant to take the place of talking with parents, leaders, or Church authorities. Please, if you need serious help, talk to a trusted adult, leader, and / or professional counselor.

Please like our Facebook page, and check it often for Discussions, Notes, Events and just General Good Stuff!

Everything here is copyrighted. If you're going to quote any part of anything here, please get Bro Jo's written permission. You can reach him at dearbrojo@gmail.com.

Wednesday, December 11, 2013

What Do You Do If a Guy Wants Your Number . . . and You Don't Want to Give It to Him?

Dear Bro Jo,

I appreciate all the questions you answer (including all the ones from me).

What should I do if a boy wants my number and I don't want to give it to him?

I don't want to be mean, and some of my friends say to give him a fake number, but I can't be mean like that.

I have no real reason for not giving him my number besides the fact, I don't know him, and I would prefer he not have my number.

Thanks!

- M




Dear M -

Let's face it, a fake number is a lie.

I can see its value, especially if it gets you away from a creep, but honesty may be the best alternative.

A simple "no, thank you" may suffice.

"Can I have your number?"

"No, thank you."

He may be stunned, or indignant, but I'm afraid that anything else you say is going to make it worse.

I suppose if you wanted to be more direct, you could say "I'm sorry, I don't give out my number to boys that I'm not interested in".

That's a little more clear, and perhaps a bit more painful, but at least it's honest.

The truth is, anything you say or do he could take as mean, so you'll just have to not worry about that.

Just because a guy asks, that's not enough of a reason to give him your contact information.

- Bro Jo




Dear Bro Jo,

Thanks!

I think I will try the "No thank you."

It isn't a lie, and it is an easy way out.

- M




Dear M,

Good choice.

Let me know how it goes.

- Bro Jo

PS:  If someone gets your number covertly, or won't stop calling you, don't hesitate to block them.  Just because the phone rings, that doesn't mean you have to answer . . . and blocking the number means you won't be bothered by the unwanted contact.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

My sister had some clever ways of turning down number requests:

"Can I have your number?"
"Why? It won't do you any good."

"Can I have your number?"
"Oh, that's cute."

"Can I have your number?"
*Laughs*

"Can I have your number?"
"For who?"

"Can I have your number?"
"You don't think you can ask me out do you?"


Now to be fair, my sister was a royal class jerk to boys, but she definitely didn't have anyone asking her out that she didn't want, or anyone at all really.