If you've been seeing someone, and you don't want to do it anymore - it's really hard to tell them. Especially if you know they're still keen. No matter what your reason - rekindling with an ex, disinclined toward anything serious, losing interest - very few people - men or women - have the courage to tell someone the truth if they think it might hurt them.

So if the relationship/fling/dating thing is over - break it. Clean, and be done.

Let me tell you a secret boys

Women know you hate those last few texts, and emails. We know you weren't really busy. Deep down, we know you're done with us. What we don't know is WHY? Sorry guys, but women need to know WHY?

I dated a guy last year whose company I really enjoyed. We talked for hours, and things went incredibly well when we were out.... but then he started making excuses. Was it me? Did I do something wrong? A case of bad breath? A pimple on my nose? COULD HE HAVE NOTICED MY LAZY EYE? He eventually came clean and told me he actually had a girlfriend. The verdict? Total closure. I moved on, and felt fine about it. I didn't text, I didn't email.

Recently, I dated a guy whose stories were increasingly elaborate and involved family members, personal disaster, professional crises and an unfortunate episode with an ex. I still don't actually know whether or not he was lying, or just had the most dismal run of luck known to man... but either way I'm still not over it. Did I do something wrong? Could I have done better? Six weeks of deathly silence later, after several texts and emotional outpourings via email... I assumed that he was just not interested. Yes, it took me six weeks to figure that out... reason being? because I didn't know WHY!!!!

Lying has its place; "No! Your bum doesn't look big in that dress sweetheart" but it has no place in a breakup. I know that's a controversial statement, but lets be realistic, if my breath is bad - it would be much kinder to tell me. I could also get cream for the pimple on my nose if I thought it a problem.

My advice to you is, If you want to break up with a woman, tell her why. That way you'll get the clean break we know you want. Oh... and for the record, I don't really have a lazy eye ;)

Written by Samantha Leese