Being led on by a guy is far worse than facing rejection. While rejection might sting momentarily, my ego can recover quickly, usually within a day. However, if a man doesn't have genuine feelings or interest in me, I prefer him to be upfront and honest. The reason is that:

1. I don't want to waste any more time

I don't want to waste my time on a guy who isn't genuinely interested in me. I've already spent years in relationships where we had a vision for the future, which never materialized. I don't want to invest any more time in someone who knows we're not a good match from the start. If a guy has any sense of decency, he should reject me as soon as he realizes that we're not right for each other.

2. I deserve to know exactly how a man feels

I don't want to be in the dark about a man's true feelings for me. Love shouldn't have to be a game of guessing. I don't want to waste my time wondering about his emotions when he could be upfront and tell me that he doesn't have any feelings for me. I prefer to know the truth rather than living in a false reality, and I don't think it's an unreasonable request.

3. I'm always upfront about what I want and what I'm looking for

It's impossible for a guy to say that he didn't know I had feelings for him or that I wanted a genuine relationship. I am always straightforward about my desires and wear my heart on my sleeve. I don't fear rejection and, in fact, give men ample opportunities to reject me. If they know my thoughts, they should be able to tell me whether or not we're on the same page.

4. My self-confidence can handle rejection

I'm not so delicate that I would shatter every time a guy tells me I'm not the right fit for him. If it's not meant to be, then it's not meant to be. I believe in destiny and the concept of finding "The One," so rejection is simply eliminating another man from the list. Every Mr. Wrong gets me one step closer to Mr. Right. I'm not interested in every man I meet, so I'm not so full of myself to assume that every man will be interested in me. Rejection might sting, but it doesn't have to be harsh, and I don't take it personally.

5. I don't want to have to convince a man to be with me

If a man is stringing me along, I may believe that our relationship is progressing towards something significant when he knows that it isn't. As time passes, I'll likely seek greater clarity about our future together. If our relationship fails to move forward, I'll have to choose between either trying to convince him of my worth or acknowledging that his fear of commitment is too great and walking away. Either way, I'll face the risk of losing my self-respect or experiencing emotional distress. It's a situation with no positive outcome.

6. I'd rather get back out there and find someone who does want to be with me

If he isn't interested in me, the sooner he releases me back into the dating pool, the sooner I can find a man who is. I don't want to miss out on a potentially great relationship just because I'm being held back by someone who isn't truly interested in me.

7. Rejection is so much better than heartbreak

Although rejection can be painful, heartbreak is nearly unbearable. I've been through heartbreak before and can attest that rejection is much easier to cope with. Actually, the earlier a man tells me he's not interested or has lost interest, the better because the longer I invest in someone, the more it hurts to separate.

8. I don't want to invest in a man who isn't doing the same for me

Why invest my energy in a man who already perceives me as unworthy of the effort? Relationships are about mutual exchange. I desire to receive as much as I give, as that's what true love entails. I'm not interested in pursuing a relationship with a man who isn't fully committed to being in a relationship with me.

9. I deserve better than to be a guy's backup plan

I refuse to be kept around as a backup plan. I'm worth far more than being someone's second choice. I won't settle for a man who thinks of me as a consolation prize. I know my worth as a remarkable and desirable woman, and I deserve a man who recognizes that, not one who relegates me to the sidelines.

10. This is one case where a guy has to be cruel to be kind

Although requesting someone to reject me might be emotionally painful, it's the best course of action for both of us in the long run. I won't waste my time pursuing a man who has no interest in me, and he won't feel guilty for leading me on when he has no intention of pursuing a relationship. If we both end things early on, we'll both have the opportunity to move forward.