GUYS, rather than hurt your feelings, sometimes women will make up little white lies when they really don’t want to go out with you, take the next step with you, or keep seeing you, but don’t want to hurt your feelings. This is because while she knows that you don’t stand a chance in hell of being her number one, she thinks burning her bridges would be more risky than actually telling you to your face that she doesn’t like you.

Here are some of the lies women tell:

When she doesn’t want to sleep with you

Andrea Thaffe, 26:

I just tell him that my belly is hurting, that my period is coming. I will tell him this even twice in one month ‘cause he’s not really keeping check.

Patrice Clarke:

I tell him that I didn’t take my pill correctly and my hormones are all messed up. Then I’ll say, ‘let’s risk it anyway, after all you don’t mind a baby, right?’ That usually kills his mood.

Nadine Brown, 31:

I’ll get the medical book or start Googling chlamydia in bed, all the while looking worried. He won’t ask, but he will wonder, and no way will he want to get intimate without knowing where I stand.

Donisha Lettman, 20:

I tell them I’m thinking of going back to church, then invite them to read the scriptures with me. When it’s Bible time there will be no thought of sexy time.

When she doesn’t want to go out with you

Santana Wright, 19:

I tell them I have a test coming up. And if it’s a weekend I tell them I am going to the country.

Juliet Facey, 31:

I tell him yes. And then on the very day I tell him my boss asked me to work late so it won’t work out. Then I apologise and tell him I am very disappointed and hope things will work out another time.

Nicola Burford, 26:

I tell him I have a family emergency that I must deal with.

Simone West, 29:

Even though people say I should not do it, I tell them that my baby is not feeling good. It’s either that or I just don’t answer my phone when they’re calling me.

When she doesn’t want to see you again

Loraine Simpson, 39:

I make sure to tell every guy from day one that I have a boyfriend, so if they ask me out I will tell them yes, and if it doesn’t work out, I will tell them that my boyfriend searched my phone and saw where we were texting or talking a lot and got mad, so I can’t risk dating again.

Julie Scott, 22:

I tell them I’m leaving the country and I don’t believe in long distance relationships.

Lillian Dacosta, 30:

I say I’m reinventing myself and my life and need to do yoga and soul searching. Men hate that feminist independent stuff, so they usually bolt at the first sign that you’re reassessing your life.

Davia Henry, 28:

I start obsessing about marriage and children, planning weddings and subscribing to bridal magazines. I start pressuring them about rings and such, basically scaring them off.

Camille Taylor, 33:

I nag and nag, then start letting myself go, so they realise what they will have to put up with for the long haul. That usually works to get rid of a guy you’re tired of dating.