Yes.
There is someone who has been in my life for a long time. He makes no bones about how he feels about me. It’s uncomfortable. He is an incredibly lovely person…but we have nothing in common intellectually or artistically. He is not intellectually curious and that is important to me because I enjoy a good conversation with the people I love. There is no chemistry, no connection other than we were a “set-up” many years ago (mutual friends did that) and we went out on one date. He keeps saying he was “smitten” since then.
I never have rejected him outright. I just keep saying, “You are SUCH a good friend…I am so glad WE ARE GOOD FRIENDS…you are going to make some woman really happy one day. I wonder if I know any single women?” And attempt to keep things very light.
It does make me sad because I know he is lonely. I just don’t find him attractive in a romantic way…and one cannot force that.