People should never give others false hope

One of the most disconcerting trends I've noticed in the dating world concerns people who go on dates with others despite not being interested in them.

After the date, they remain in contact with the individual, giving the impression that they look forward to going on future dates with them even though they have no intention of doing so.

In fact, they may very well be going on dates with other men or women in the meantime.

So, why not just tell the person they're no longer interested? Why string them along at all?

Reasons can be quite varied:

They've just ended a relationship and wish for another's company.

They are not attracted to the person, but still relish the attention.

They see the potential for a budding friendship.

They already have their eye on someone they have yet to snag, so they use other dates as temporary stand-ins.

I don't blame people for not having feelings for someone else. After all, the heart wants what it wants.

I do, however, take issue with leading someone on.

People's feelings are not toys to be trifled with.

By leading someone on, you risk causing them great emotional pain. A broken heart can sink someone into a deep state of grief, triggering depression, anxiety, or other adverse outcomes.

To lead someone on betrays selfishness and insensitivity. I'm sure such individuals would not like people to do it to them.

It is my hope that if people find themselves with someone who claims to be interested but never bothers to show it, they walk away.

Actions always tell whether a person's words have substance, or if they're nothing but hot hair.

No person deserves to be used and led on. At the end of the day, people can save a great deal of time -- and spare others potential heartache -- by being transparent. Let them go so they can find someone who will truly make them happy.

If they're too selfish and callous to do that, then it's a testament to how utterly cruel human beings can really be.

Comments

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