It’s hard to negotiate the dynamic between two individuals without saying that one thing that might lead to a total mess, especially in a case where one person likes the someone, but the other doesn’t feel the same way. The world could do with a few more nice people, and it’s not inherently built in to friend zone someone, but it can be necessary. There’s a bunch of ways to soften the blow and maybe even salvage or form a friendship.

Here’s how to put someone in the friend zone while being nice about it.

1. Reply to flirty compliments with a simple “thank you”.

2. If you hung out with them a lot earlier, try to meet them less often.

3. Don’t go for movies or events alone with them as they might see that as a date.

4. Don’t answer their texts and calls late at night, unless it’s an emergency.

5. Try to hook them up with other people.

6. Explain just how much you value your friendship with the person.

7. Ask them to be your wingman. That’ll make the dynamic between you pretty clear.

8. Show them your negative side, so they stop putting you on a pedestal.

9. Restrict how much physical contact you guys have. You don’t want to give them the wrong idea.

And always remember this song if life gets you down!