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16 Terrible Excuses Women Love to Make When They’re Just Dating You for Convenience

Updated on November 5, 2025 by TMM Staff · Dating & Confidence

A woman sitting in a chair looking at her smartphone.
©Gabrielle Henderson/Unsplash.com

You’ve probably met one, the woman who swears she’s “seeing where things go,” but deep down, she’s already made up her mind that you’re not the one. She’s there for the comfort, the attention, or maybe the free dinners. But instead of saying it straight, she’ll come armed with a collection of soft excuses that make it all sound harmless.

If you’ve ever found yourself scratching your head after hearing these lines, wondering why things feel off, you’re not alone. Here’s a breakdown of the classic excuses women use when they’re hanging around out of convenience, not commitment.

Table of Contents

Toggle
  • 1. “I’m Just Really Busy Right Now”
  • 2. “I’m Still Healing From My Last Relationship”
  • 3. “I Don’t Know What I Want Right Now”
  • 4. “Let’s Just See Where This Goes”
  • 5. “You Deserve Better Than Me”
  • 6. “I’m Not Ready for a Relationship”
  • 7. “You’re Such a Good Friend”
  • 8. “I Don’t Want to Ruin What We Have”
  • 9. “I’m Focusing on Myself Right Now”
  • 10. “I’m Scared of Getting Hurt Again”
  • 11. “I’m Not Like Other Girls”
  • 12. “I’m Just Enjoying the Moment”
  • 13. “You’re So Good To Me”
  • 14. “I Don’t Want to Label Things”
  • 15. “We’ll Figure It Out Later”
  • 16. “You Mean A Lot To Me”

1. “I’m Just Really Busy Right Now”

A woman working on a tablet at a table in a bright kitchen.
©Getty Images/Unsplash.com

This is the gold standard of halfhearted excuses. It sounds reasonable because everyone’s busy, but when someone truly wants to make time, they do. You’ll notice that somehow her friends still see her twice a week, and she never misses her yoga class, yet you’re stuck waiting for a text back.

When a woman keeps saying she’s “too busy” but still keeps you on the back burner, it’s usually because she enjoys the security of having you there. You’re her safety net, not her priority.

2. “I’m Still Healing From My Last Relationship”

A woman in a red dress standing by a window looking outside.
©Getty Images/Unsplash.com

Sure, heartbreak can linger. But when months go by and she’s still bringing up her ex, she’s clearly holding onto baggage while enjoying your company in the meantime. You’ve become her emotional crutch, helping her feel wanted without demanding too much in return.

She gets the warmth of companionship without actually opening up to something new. That’s not love, that’s therapy she’s not paying for.

3. “I Don’t Know What I Want Right Now”

A woman standing by a window looking outside thoughtfully.
©Ivan Zhirnov/Unsplash.com

Translation, she does know, and it’s not you. Saying she’s “confused” sounds softer than saying she’s not that into you. It gives her room to keep you around without making any promises.

You’ll hear this one when she likes your presence but not the idea of a relationship with you. It’s the perfect excuse to buy time while she figures out if something better comes along.

4. “Let’s Just See Where This Goes”

A woman working late in an office looking at her smartphone.
©Getty Images/Unsplash.com

This one’s meant to sound open-minded, but it’s often a way to dodge accountability. You’ll notice that “where this goes” never really goes anywhere. It just circles around casual dates and vague plans.

She’s comfortable with you, but she’s not investing emotionally. When a woman really likes you, she’s not vague about it. Ambiguity usually means convenience.

5. “You Deserve Better Than Me”

A person sitting at a wooden table with a coffee cup and a smartphone.
©Hümâ H. Yardım/Unsplash.com

This line sounds selfless, even noble, but it’s a classic deflection. When she says this, she’s trying to protect her comfort while trying to step away guilt-free.

What she really means is, “I’m not willing to give what you want, but I’d rather not look like the bad guy.” It’s a polite way to bow out while keeping her moral halo intact.

6. “I’m Not Ready for a Relationship”

A woman in profile looking out of a window with soft light on her face.
©Sergio Kian/Unsplash.com

Fair enough, until you see her “not ready” self start dating someone new a month later. This excuse gives her room to enjoy the perks of a relationship, affection, attention, and companionship, without committing.

It’s like a get-out-of-commitment-free card dressed up as honesty. The truth is, she is ready, but not for you.

7. “You’re Such a Good Friend”

A woman sitting by a window with a soft, thoughtful expression.
©Lucas Andrade/Unsplash.com

Ouch. The moment she drops the “friend” label, you’re in the convenience zone. It’s her way of keeping you around for emotional support while ensuring you don’t expect anything romantic.

When she calls you a “good friend” after months of dates and flirtation, she’s making sure you understand your new role, free therapist with no benefits.

8. “I Don’t Want to Ruin What We Have”

A person sitting at a table with a laptop, holding a red mug.
©Curated Lifestyle/Unsplash.com

This one sounds sentimental, like she values the bond you share. But if “what you have” is casual and lopsided, she’s really saying she doesn’t want to lose the perks of having you without committing.

It’s an excuse to maintain comfort. You fill a role in her life, and she’s not ready to let that convenience slip away, even if it means stringing you along.

9. “I’m Focusing on Myself Right Now”

A woman sitting in a café taking a photo with a camera.
©Getty Images/Unsplash.com

Self-improvement is great, but when this becomes her go-to reason for keeping you at arm’s length, it’s more of a smoke screen. She’s just using your time and energy to keep herself entertained.

You’ll know it’s an excuse when she says this right after you bring up commitment, but somehow she’s still fine having you around when it suits her.

10. “I’m Scared of Getting Hurt Again”

A woman wearing a denim jacket sitting outdoors and looking down.
©Priscilla Du Preez 🇨🇦/Unsplash.com

Emotional vulnerability is real, but sometimes this excuse hides a deeper truth. She’s not scared of love. She’s scared of loving you. She uses fear as a shield to keep from investing too deeply.

When she keeps playing the fear card, take it as a sign that she’s just playing with you and has no serious intentions to make anything about you official.

11. “I’m Not Like Other Girls”

A woman sitting outdoors in a park looking down thoughtfully.
©Vitaliy Rigalovsky/Unsplash.com

Whenever someone says this, take it as a warning. It’s a line that signals she’s setting her own rules, usually to justify inconsistent behavior. One minute she’s affectionate, the next she’s distant, and you’re supposed to find it charming.

What she means is that she doesn’t want to play by standard relationship expectations. She likes the benefits of romance without any of the accountability.

12. “I’m Just Enjoying the Moment”

A man and a woman sitting together by a lakeshore, talking quietly.
©Priscilla Du Preez 🇨🇦/Unsplash.com

Living in the present sounds poetic, but it often means she’s not thinking about a future with you. She’s enjoying your effort, attention, and affection right now, with no long-term intention.

It’s easy to confuse this with being carefree. But when she keeps reminding you to “not overthink it,” it’s because she doesn’t want to deal with what comes next.

13. “You’re So Good To Me”

A woman standing on a balcony looking down toward the street below.
©emma valerio/Unsplash.com

This one stings because it sounds like a compliment. But if it’s followed by zero effort on her part, it’s not gratitude, it’s guilt management. She’s acknowledging your kindness to ease her conscience.

It’s a way to validate your efforts without giving anything back. When words of appreciation never lead to reciprocity, that’s a sign she’s coasting on your goodwill.

14. “I Don’t Want to Label Things”

A woman sitting on a bed near a window wearing a white robe.
©Wang Sheeran/Unsplash.com

Modern dating loves this excuse. It sounds progressive, but it’s usually about keeping options open. She wants the emotional security of a boyfriend without the title or the accountability that comes with it.

If she dodges labels after months together, know that it’s her way of saying, “I’m having fun dating you, but I won’t take things too seriously”.

15. “We’ll Figure It Out Later”

A woman standing by a glass door using her smartphone.
©Flipsnack/Unsplash.com

This is the ultimate delay tactic. It gives her the illusion of progress while buying time. But “later” never comes, and every conversation about the future turns into a casual shrug.

It’s a strategy to keep you hopeful while she decides whether it’s worth staying. If “later” keeps stretching, she’s planning to keep things easy between the two of you.

16. “You Mean A Lot To Me”

©Rachael Gorjestani/Unsplash.com

It sounds heartfelt, but listen closely. When paired with inconsistent effort, this phrase becomes a cushion for distance. She says you mean a lot, but her actions scream convenience.

This is often the closing line before she fades away. It’s her way of leaving you with comfort instead of closure. And while it might sound sweet, it’s really her final out, kind words to soften an empty exit.

Dating & Confidence

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About TMM Staff

The Modest Man staff writers are experts in men's lifestyle who love teaching guys how to live their best lives.

If an article is published under TMM Staff, that means multiple writers worked on it. For example, sometimes several of us have experience with a certain brand, so we collaborate to publish a more thorough review.

Or, if an article was originally written by one person, but then it was updated by someone else, we'll re-publish it under TMM Staff.

Remember: all of our articles (including those below) are written by real people with decades of combined experience in men's fashion and lifestyle topics.

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