How do you mentally prepare youself for this type of conversation? How do you deal with the emotional effect it will have on the other person?

I was prompted to ask this question from another topic on nairaland- https://www.nairaland.com/nigeria/topic-880.0.html

It is only being honest. You need to free them from an unreciprocated loveless relationship.

It's best to tell them, rather than allow them to live a lie, and give them false hope.

I cant agree more.

It's both

I think it is worse for the person who has to deliver this news

The sooner you know the truth the better.

But it is best to be sure, so that the dog will not return to its vomit later.

I have seen a case of someone who later regretted it.

How can you love someone and then you do not love the person anymore later?

When the sweet grape becomes sour?

Does true love expire?  

I advise that it is best to be sure before saying so.

it is being honest - you are telling them the truth/.

its both. honesty and cruelty are not mutually exclusive. in fact they can even be said to be directly proportional and thats why its called the[i] ugly[/i] truth.

Be ready for any repercussions though; eg a slap lol

Get serious dawg. By telin d truth, u free he/she frm emotional bondage.

@ poster,  there is no such thing as not loving someone anymore,
just goes to show that u never did love them in the first place,  its as simple as that,

nothing cruel about it, its just the honest truth.

Honest truth! Dont need to beat about the bush.

@ area boy - I think that is a matter of opinion. People love differently.

You definition of love is not the same as someone else.

Honest definitely.
It will save u both in d end.

It's kinda painful to have that said to you, but i guess in the end it makes sense to tell someone you dnt love them anymore, if you feel that way.

what a way to break up tho!

If u know u wouldn't love them later on then don't love them in the 1st place.

Just tell them.i know its nt d easiest thing in d world 2 do.but trust me it beter dan dragin d relationship out of pity

I think its honest to do so. But if it's done in an insensitive manner then it becomes cruel.

I think it's both!

I mean why did you use the L-word before if you knew you didnt mean it

Why continue saying it when it's a lie

Ujujoan:

I think it's both!

I mean why did you use the L-word before if you knew you didnt mean it

Why continue saying it when it's a lie

Its possible you meant it while you were saying it. Maybe some where along the line the love just withered away. Like they say, love is like a flower that needs to be nurtured and cared for otherwise it dies. For instance, I know some folks that have gotten divorced after decades of marriage.
I mean if you can fall in love you can equally fall out of it (although not easily).

It's cruel. . . but the honesty overshadows that,i think

Flashfast1:

I think its honest to do so. But if it's done in an insensitive manner then it becomes cruel.

I think no matter what form is been said as far as the other person loves u it will still hurt, just imagine someone you ve been dating and love so much came crying to you or begging you and telling you she loves you no more

Voned:

I think no matter what form is been said as far as the other person loves u it will still hurt, just imagine someone you ve been dating and love so much came crying to you or begging you and telling you she loves you no more

Of couse I know that given the circumstance, there is no way that you can possibly put it for it not to hurt. But my point is that you should try and make it easier and lighter for the person to take. That way it won't be seen as cruel. Though it will still hurt but the person won't feel as bad as when you just drop the bomb without taking into consideration how the person will feel.
For example you may first try to make the person understand that the fault is not theirs (even when its a lie). You may also say nice things you'll miss about them before droping the bomb.

Flashfast1:

Of couse I know that given the circumstance, there is no way that you can possibly put it for it not to hurt. But my point is that you should try and make it easier and lighter for the person to take. That way it won't be seen as cruel. Though it will still hurt but the person won't feel as bad as when you just drop the bomb without taking into consideration how the person will feel.
For example you may first try to make the person understand that the fault is not theirs (even when its a lie). You may also say nice things you'll miss about them before droping the bomb.

yeah you are right, the important thing is that the person will heal with time

Be very honest And if necessary, be cruel about it.

its honest

Truth breaks no friendship

It's not cruel to tell someone you don't love them, what is cruel is telling them you love them when you don't, to make them believe that the feelings are mutual once you've discovered that you no longer care.

It's good to tell them the truth but most girls don't love honesty.