
ThereĀ are still men out there who believe that if a woman is single, she must automatically be open to being approached, flirted with, or interrupted. It usually starts off casual, like a harmless comment or a āfriendlyā question. But then it lingers, turns awkward, and suddenly you have to deal with something you never invited into your space.
Iāve dealt with this kind of attention for most of my life, and I know Iām not the only one. After a while, it gets exhausting. So eventually, I realised I needed to do somethingāto make it clear that Iām not available for attention I never asked for.
So, I came up with a few little tricks. Some are lighthearted, some are a bit bolder, but they all have one goal: to protect my peace and set boundaries.Ā Yes, some of these tactics might leave the wrong impression,Ā but if thatās the cost of being left alone, Iāll take it.
Here are my top five tricks I use to deal with unwanted attention from men. They might not work for everyone, but theyāve definitely worked for me.
ā āCan I Borrow Some Money?āĀ
My personal favourite, and hands down, the most effective one. š
Let me just say this first: Iām not the kind of person who goes around asking people for money. In fact, I find it super uncomfortable to even bring that up in normal conversations. But when Iām dealing with a man who clearly doesnāt understand boundaries or, worse, thinks Iām someone he can charm into something, I bring out this trick.
Itās very simple. I’d say something like:
āHey, do you think I could borrow some money? Iām a bit short this month.ā
Iāve neverāand I repeat, NEVERāhad a problem with this trick. Most of them might say something polite like āOh yeah, sure,ā but the silence that follows? Golden.Ā Itās like flipping a switch.
What makes this so powerful is how quickly it shifts the dynamic. A lot of men who come on too strong are only doing it because they assume youāll be low-effort, easygoing, or flattered enough to go along with whatever theyāre offering. But the second you introduce a real need, something that might actually require them to give, support, or commit… they run.
It works like magic. No long explanations. No awkward āIām not interestedā speech. Just one simple question… and suddenly, youāre free.
Thatās exactly why this one is my favourite. Itās quick, clean, and gets the job done without me needing to say anything more.
ā The āIām Takenā TrickĀ
Simple, classic, and still very effective.
Sure, weāre living in an era where not everyone respects relationships anymore, but this little trick still does the job more often than not. Itās my go-to whenever Iām travelling solo or find myself in unfamiliar places where Iād rather not deal with anyoneās unwanted energy.
All I do is slip on a ring (yes, that finger), and if needed, casually drop a line like:
āIām engaged…ā or āIām married.ā
Even when thereās no man around, it still works. Youād be surprised how quickly the tone shifts. The flirty energy turns into politeness, or better yet, silence. Either way, mission accomplished. Itās wild how a tiny piece of jewelry and a few well-placed words can completely change a manās approach.
So why does this work so well? Sadly, itās because a lot of men donāt really respect a womanās ānoā unless it comes with the imaginary stamp of another manās presence. Itās as if our own boundaries only become valid when someone else has already claimed us.
Itās frustrating, no doubt. But Iāve learned to use that dynamic to my advantage. If pretending to be ātakenā gives me space, safety, and peace of mind, then yes, Iāll play the role. Gladly.
ā Turn Someone Into the Example
Psychological warfare⦠but make it casual.
This is one of those tricks that seems harmless on the surface… but oh, it works.
Letās say I already know a bit about the guy. Maybe Iāve met his friend before, heard a few things through mutual circles, or Iāve just picked up on how he talks and carries himself. Instead of calling him out directly, I take a softer, smarter route:
Iāll casually drop something like:
āYou know, I just canāt stand guys who jump from one woman to another so quickly. Itās such a turn-off.ā
Then I sit back and watch the reaction. Most of the time, thereās no debate. No defense. Just a quiet fade-out.
Why? Because people naturally project themselves into the stories we tell, especially when they feel a little too familiar. If a guy sees even a hint of himself in the person Iām ācomplainingā about, it hits. And instead of addressing it, he usually just⦠disappears.
Itās a gentle, indirect way of setting a boundary without having to say, āYouāre the problem.ā You just let him do the math himself.
ā Play the High-Maintenance DivaĀ
If he thinks he wants a ābaddie,āĀ letās test that theory.
Sometimes, I go full gold digger mode, not because I actually am one, but because some men assume Iāll be impressed by the bare minimum. And honestly, some of them really believe theyāre ready for a high-maintenance woman⦠until they actually meet one.
So I lean into it. Iāll casually say something like:
āOh, I only date guys who drive at least a Mercedes or Audi and can fly me out. If thatās not your lane, itās really not worth my time.ā
And just like that… silence. The confident āHey, beautifulā energy? Gone. Suddenly, they remember they have a budget.
Now, do I truly expect someone to show up in a private jet or hand me a designer bag on the first date? Of course not. Thatās not the point. What Iām doing is flipping the script.
If a guy approaches me thinking Iāll melt over a compliment, a coffee, or some copy-paste charm, this line sends a clear message: Iām not easy to impress. And if youāre not in a position to give, maybe donāt come around trying to get.
Itās bold, sure. Maybe even a little over the top. But for the ones who were only looking for someone to entertain or impress? This is where they quietly tap out. And honestly, I prefer it that way.
ā Ignore. Block. Vanish.Ā
Letās not forget the oldest, and honestly, most powerful move in the book: complete silence.
This is the final step I take when someone refuses to respect a boundary. I usually follow through with this after one of my little tricks has workedājust to make sure they donāt circle back when things start to ācool down.
Plus, there are moments when no clever excuse or polite rejection is needed. The energy feels pushy, somethingās off, and instead of explaining or engaging⦠I just disappear.
Iāve ignored messages, blocked numbers, and even ghosted a few persistent admirersānot out of rudeness, but out of self-respect. And the truth is, no explanation was ever necessary.
Hereās the thing: you donāt owe anyone your time, your energy, or your emotional labor, especially someone who couldnāt be bothered to read the room in the first place.
People who truly respect you wonāt try to push past your āno.ā But the ones who do? They donāt deserve a response; they deserve your absence.
So if ignoring someone protects your peace, do it. If blocking someone gives you breathing room, do it. Youāre not being dramatic. Youāre drawing a line, and sometimes, that line is silence.
Final Thoughts
Ladies…
You donāt need to be polite when youāre uncomfortable. You donāt need to explain your āno.ā And you definitely donāt need to entertain the attention just to spare someoneās ego.
The truth is, sometimes āNoā and āIām not interestedā just donāt work. Some people hear your boundaries and still choose to ignore themāand thatās exactly why these little tricks exist. Theyāre not about being mean. Theyāre about being smart: protecting your peace, your space, and your energy.
Whether itās a fake fiancĆ©, diva energy, or a simple block button, use whatever works for you. Your peace of mind is worth way more than the feelings of someone who barely knows you.
Take care,
X, Auri š¼
If my words made your day, a coffee would make mine.š„°
Discover more from Wanderhoney.com
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.