Q&A for How to Get Out of Something

If there's no attraction and nothing in common, but the person is nice, you can be very direct. Remember, though, that being direct isn't an excuse to be rude. Just say something like, "I think you're a really great person and I know you're going to meet someone special, but I just don't think that we're a match."

Tell her honestly that you appreciate what she did, then after you tell her you don't want to do it, suggest other things/activities you could do in place of gymnastics practice.

Just calmly tell them that you don't enjoy it, and it hasn't turned out as you'd hoped.

Just tell the host that the event took you by surprise and you already have plans, don't have an appropriate outfit, enough money, etc.

Think about the reason you want to cancel. Are you just feeling uncomfortable with the idea or has something come up? If you don't want to explain yourself to your friends, you can make up an excuse about unfriendly neighbors or construction in your building. Suggest another venue for the party if possible.

Use your body language and tone of voice to suggest that you are not interested in talking. Make it clear that you are ending the conversation and moving away. You can also simply state that you do not feel like talking.

All you can do is calmly and respectfully explain what you want to do and why.

You can say that your back or leg hurts, or that you're coming down with a cold or anything else that would impact your balance negatively.

Try telling her that you really appreciate the effort she made to get you tickets to the game. Tell her that you've realized that you don't want to go. Suggest giving the tickets away to someone who will enjoy the game.

Tell your parents that you don't have a lot of homework or that you can do it quickly after the fun event. Or, ideally, just get it done really quickly first, then you can have as much fun as you want as a reward.

Make an excuse. The most logical thing would be to say that you have too much work, and that you can't take adequate care of the child and work at the same time.

Follow the instructions listed in the article above.

Make an excuse. Say you're not feeling emotionally well. You can try to say that you're feeling down and would like to be alone because of a few problems you're facing at the moment. Or, you can pretend you're having a stomach problem.

Try to show all the positive reasons why they should go, how much fun it will be, what they will get out of it (either in the short or long term), etc.

If you've already talked to your mom, then try talking to someone else like another parent or a friend. Pretty much anyone will work. Ask them to talk to your mom. It's also great to come up with valid evidence that shows you really don't want to spend time with this person. If that doesn't work, then try to keep a busy schedule with "mom approved" things. Arrange to hang out with other friends during that time, do homework, or simply tell your mom you really need some time alone. Doing academic activities is a sure way to avoid seeing your friend.

You should really consider just doing it, even if you're nervous. Most likely a lot of people are counting on you, including your peers in the performance and the staff members that organized it. If you really can't perform, just inform someone (preferably with at least 24 hour notice) that you are ill. If it's a vocal performance, just say you have a sore throat.

Try to make other plans. If not, just wait awhile and then tell them, maybe the morning of that you're feeling sick.

You could tell the person who is hosting the activities that it just isn't for you.

Family events are something that you can't really get out of, and it is also good to try to bond with your family members and make connections with them while you can. If you really want/need to get out of it, just try to explain to your parent why you don't want to go.

You could make up a reason like sickness or a conflicting agreement, or you could just apologize and offer to reschedule without giving a specific reason.

You could just suck it up and visit quickly. Or send a card or flowers to let them know you're thinking of the person. Excuses are: "busy", "other priorities", "unforeseen circumstances" or "something else is taking up all of my time". However, since you've already said you'd visit this person, it will be disappointing if you don't make an appearance.

You could try the honest approach: "Mom, I don't think I'm ready and I dread the violin group class, please don't make me go."

It depends on your age. If you are an adolescent then you honestly don't have much say in it other than having a conversation with a parent about why you don't want to go. If you are in adulthood then you make your own decisions and no one can make them for you, and if you don't want to go then you shouldn't have to.

If you begged to go to something, you should suck it up and go. You'll probably have fun.

Make up an injury.

It's best to fake coming down with an illness at the last second, or tell them that a relative is sick and you need to go take care of them.

Just say sorry, but you really just want to take a nap, because you are not feeling well.

If you really don't want to go, pretend to be sick, extremely tired, or simply honestly admit you don't want to. But be prepared that parents have the last say in what children do.

It would be a nice thing to go on a walk with your mother, it would probably really make her happy. If you really don't want to do it though, just tell her you have homework to do or that you already made plans with a friend or sibling.

If you are not interested, you should talk to your parents about dropping the lessons in favor of something that you do enjoy doing.