It is no secret that Italian men, besides being romantic, are stubborn, especially when it comes to getting what they want.

What you’ll hear less often though, and what I’ve been told is equally true, is that Italian women are just as stubborn.

So when you find yourself in a situation where an Italian friend or a new acquaintance is getting a little, well, too, friendly with romantically asking you out  and you’re not interested, what do you say?

And how do you say it in a way that maintains the friendship while still making the “no” count?

Here are 7 phrases that will help you rifiutare un invito.

1.) Sei una bella persona e sto bene con te, ma tra noi potrà esserci solo amicizia. – You’re a great person and I like hanging out with you, but between us, there can only be friendship.

2.) Mi sembra che ci stai provando con me…voglio che tu sappia che siamo solo amici. – It seems like you’re hitting on me…I want you to know that we’re just friends.

3.) Mi dispiace, ma non mi interessa. – I’m sorry, but I’m not interested.

4.) Sono già fidanzato/a. – I’m taken.

5.) Non vorrei aver creato dei fraintendimenti con il mio comportamento, ma non sono interessata ad un rapporto che vada oltre l’amicizia. – I wouldn’t want to create misunderstandings with behavior, but I’m not interested in a relationship beyond friendship.

6.) Mi dispiace se ti ho illuso, ma io e te potremo essere soltanto amici. – I’m sorry if I misled you, but me and you will only be friends.

Or if you want to dance around the issue, you can say…

7.) Mi piacerebbe tantissimo ma…devo lavarmi i cappelli. – I would really like to (e.g. go to dinner) but…I have to wash my hair.

What do you think? Have you ever been in a situation like this? What did you say? Leave your thoughts in the comments below!