I was talking with a guy last weekend when I was out at a bar. At the end of the night he asked for my number and I gave it to him although I am not really interested in dating him. If he calls I am pretty sure he is going to ask me on a date. How should I handle this? And should I have even given him my number in the first place? What are the rules for this?

This question stands among some of the greatest dating conundrums. Ask DCist hears this question bantered about time and again, among our friends at dinner, strangers at parties, and even coworkers at the office. But we will take a stab at helping you out…or at least add our advice to the fray.

Really, there is no “right” way to answer this question. On one hand, you could refuse your number right on the spot. Well, that’s a little harsh and leaves little save face room for the rejectee. You could do the fake number trick, but we aren’t really a fan of that one as it lacks little bit of the respect aspect. That and it is really hard to blurt a fake number out when you are put on the spot. More likely you are just going to provide your number when asked straight up.

So, your number is taken and then you are faced with questions of what to do when (if) he calls.