How to Fire a Friend

Whether your friend has become a menace or just an annoyance, the social process of ending friendship is a tricky one. Talking about getting away from an undesirable person in job terminology is one way to face up to it yourself, but the actual nuts and bolts of getting this individual at least part way out of your life can be harder than you think, as testified by any number of hilarious relationship comedies. Read on to learn how to fire a friend.

Difficulty:

Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. First, you will need to evaluate if the termination of the relationship justifies the possible emotional turmoil it might create. Can you live with the current level of involvement, or are you willing to be hard-nosed to cut someone out of your life?

2. If you know that changing the relationship is inevitable, you still have options. The passive-aggressive route is a possible easy fix but is not very fail safe. A more brazen approach might be more efficient.

3. For passive-aggressives, just shutting down all contact can have the desired effect as two friends drift slowly away from each other. However, to make the termination more "official", you will want to talk to your friend about why you would like to move on.

4. Take the appropriate avenue when you talk to your friend about the relationship. If it is just annoyance or aspects of your friend's life beyond his or her control, or if the individual is sensitive, try to let them down easy. Soft-talk them into the change to avoid hurting their self-esteem too much.

5. If the friendship is being terminated because of wrongdoing, or you feel threatened by this person, you might want to take a different tone. Tell them what you think has breached social protocol and be firm. Demand that they consider your side of the story. Only you can know how to have a conversation like this one, but a level head helps balance necessary firmness and unwarranted aggression.

Resources

• Advice for Relationships on RelationshipGold.com
• Dr. Phil's Relationship Website