DEAR ABBY: I am blessed to have many friends who invite me to parties and gatherings. I met a guy at one of them and we had a nice conversation. A few days later he called me. He said he'd gotten my number from our mutual friend. (I had given her permission to give it out to people who had been at the party.)
We talked some more and kept talking and exchanging emails over the course of a couple of months. Because it wasn't every day or even every week, I thought we were just friends.
At the next party he asked me out on a date -- a romantic date. This is a problem. I identify as an aromantic asexual. I do not feel the things he does. Having to explain my sexual orientation to people is embarrassing. Any advice on how to convey this without ruining the friendship we have developed? -- EMBARRASSED IN INDIANA
DEAR EMBARRASSED: Try saying it this way: "I'm flattered, but it would be better if we remain just friends. I think you're terrific, but I am not a romantic or sexual person. It has nothing to do with you. It's just the way I am and always have been."