How to Turn Down a Lunch Date

It can be difficult to turn down an invitation for fear of seeming rude. Follow these easy steps to decline or reschedule an invitation politely.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• a lunch date.

1. Why do you want to turn down the lunch date? Do you not want to spend time with the person who has asked you? Don’t have the time? OR do you want to have the date at a slightly more romantic time, say dinner? The reason you are turning the person down will determine how you say no to them.

2. If you don’t want to see the person at all turn down their invitation politely. Thank them for inviting you, but say that you won’t be able to make it.

3. Does the timing or cuisine not work for you? Tell them that you’d love to have lunch, but your schedule doesn’t permit it on the day they are suggesting. If they are suggesting Mexican food and you hate burritos, suggest a new Thai place that opened recently or express that you don’t like spicy food. They’ll understand!

4. The lunch date is kind of limiting for a romantic date. If you have been invited by a love interest tell them that you would love to have lunch with them, but you would prefer to see them at a time that you don’t have obligations or work afterwards.