r/internetparents • u/loveeeeme • 1d ago

how do i let down my coworker down gently

i (18) met him (19) a few days ago and i got his contact info like i do with all my friends. we started out talking and sharing stuff about our lives but since we’ve started talking more he’s been saying things that are weird. like saying goodmorning with a heart??? and indirectly saying i’m cute??? i’m in a relationship and i don’t know how to let him down gently. i still want to be friends and i don’t want to be harsh. i have cut all contact with him since the heart and the cute thing out of respect for my relationship. the problem is that ill still have to see him at work eventually. i was thinking just ignore it and post something about my boyfriend because i honestly just want to avoid the awkward conversation at all. but im not sure that would do anything??? please help me i’m so lost in this situation.

ALSO i have not responded since the indirectly calling me cute. how do i even respond to that first. is it wrong for me to ignore it? i typically avoid confronting things like that because it really does make me uncomfortable. i really don’t want to have to address that ://

TLDR: in a relationship but a coworker seems to be flirting with me. how do i let him down gently and not ruin our work environment.

4 Upvotes

83% Upvoted

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9

u/csonnich 1d ago

I would just mention your boyfriend in casual conversation like when he asks what you did this weekend. If he's a decent guy, y'all can go back to being regular friends after that. 

4

u/Busy-Management-5204 1d ago

When you come back to work after the weekend and he asks you what you did, the response is: well, my boyfriend and I did xxxxxxxx.

2

u/Somerandomedude1q2w 1d ago

Just say what you just said. Tell him that he is a good guy, but you are in a relationship and don't like him in that way. Guys are generally ok with rejection if the woman is nice about it.

1

u/Interesting-Cut-9057 1d ago

I would push a convo to talk about how great your boyfriend is with something you like. If he is a decent guy, he will take the hint and tone it down. If not, then address that. But odds are the first thing will work.

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u/Sea-Substance8762 1d ago

Just tell him that you have a boyfriend.

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u/Distinct_Magician713 1d ago

Why do you feel you have to let them down gently? A firm "I'm not interested in you that way" should it down quickly.

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u/Zelylia 10h ago

Just be upfront and honest, tell him you're not comfortable with him flirting with you since you have a boyfriend ! Establish these boundaries as it's the only way to still have a friendship with him

0

u/Abducted_by_neon 1d ago

There's a chance you're reading into it too. I tell people all the time that they're cute! But I have no desire for relationships with them. I also add hearts into a lot of convos!

So I'd just mention you have a boyfriend, if it escalates than sit him down and say you're not interested.