How to Stay Friends with a Girl Who Rejects You

You've gotten up the courage to ask this girl out who you've liked for a long time...And she turns you down flat. Not only do you have to deal with the rejection, but now you have to see her everyday, and experience that sinking feeling in the pit of your stomach with each encounter. It doesn't have to be that bad. You can get through this, learn from your experience, and actually become friends with this girl.

Do a postmortem. You obviously did something wrong. I'm not saying you will never get turned down again, but there are steps you can take to pre-determine whether a girl will go out with you. Pay attention to her body language. Does she give you a lot of eye contact? Does she look at you out of the corner of her eye when she thinks you don't notice? Does she talk to her friends about you? These are subtle clues you need to look for before you even think about asking a girl out. If you are at all uncertain, wait. Don't take the plunge unless you're pretty sure she will say yes. Otherwise, you'll end up in the exact position you're in now: Having to deal with rejection.

Pretend you never asked her out in the first place. I know that's easier said then done. But if you can get past the awkwardness, you can get back to the place you were in before you asked her out. If you were friends before, you can be friends again. Remember, if you don't act weird around her, she won't either. If you basically "pick up where you left off," she will too. What did you talk about before? Whatever it is, talk about it again. If you both love movies, discuss the latest science fiction thriller to hit the cinemas. No matter that she won't be going with you. The sooner you resume the friendship the way it was, the sooner that fateful day will fade into a distant memory.

Say something to let her know you are "over" her. I know this is hard, but help her out with her guy problems. She obviously is not interested in you, but she might be in someone else. So become her confidant. The "go to" guy that she turns to when she wants a male perspective. Don't go so far as to pick her dates, but you can give your two cents (no sabotaging here!) It will let her know subtly that you are over her, and want to move on with the friendship. And she can do the same for you. Who knows, she might have a friend who is actually a better match for you. Remember, everything works out for a reason. You don't want to ruin a friendship for a relationship that may not have lasted anyway.