How to dump him?
Love life in need of a detox? Whether it’s down to bad boy-behaviour, loss of chemistry, lack of gorgeousness or simply a better offer, there’s a right way and a wrong way to tell your amour it’s over.

You’ve met someone else.
Right way: Be honest, but not too honest. Tell him you feel you’ve grown apart and aren’t right for each other any more. Be complimentary and tell him that you’ve really enjoyed your time together.

Wrong way: Taking your new beau round the old one’s hang out zone and getting cozy in front of him. It’s hard to believe, but some day your ex will be ready to date again. If you give him trust issues now you’ll ruin him for other girls and that’s unsisterly.

You’ve been on a couple of dates but it’s not working out.
Right way: It is actually okay to simply forget to return calls if you haven’t been together that long. It’s not nice though so if you can muster the courage drop him a line to say you don’t think you’re ready for anything serious.

Wrong way: Calling him up with a full debrief including a list of his many and various faults. As a rule the break-up should never last longer than the relationship. Be brief to be kind.

He’s been caught cheating.
Right way: Call him up or meet him somewhere public. Take a friend for support if you like. Let him know he’s been caught and tell him that’s why you’re dumping him. Let him give his side of the story – it could be a misunderstanding. But if it isn’t, stay firm.

Wrong way: Vandalising his clothes, setting fire to his bike, initiating a poster campaign or similar. He cheated, you didn’t. You have the upper hand, be dignified about it.