There can be real magic in an engagement as long as it is kept on a vague and timeless basis. Once a wedding date is mentioned and active preparations are under way, the magic flies. You may even develop unpleasant nervous disorders. Avoid a date. Your object will be to create a feeling of vague enthusiasm.
When talk becomes specific or when, for any other reason, the laughter begins to go out of your romance, it is time to break the engagement. Try, whenever possible, to spare her feelings. It is best to make it seem that she is tiring of you.
1. The Transfer of Title
Make a home for her in another's heart. If you handle it properly you can make it seem that you are the one who is being abandoned. Choose a reliable fellow, one that you feel would make her happy.
"How do you get muscles like that, Joe?'*
(For example, he is the outdoor type.)
"Well, uh, Dave, you gotta keep trainin'."
"Maybe I ought to go in for that. Every time I come near Fran she says, 'If only you had beautiful muscles like Joe!'"
"She did, huh, she did?"
"Yep. Oh, she loves me, I guess. If she'd only stop talking about you, Joe."
Speak to her, too.
"Thought you'd be safe with Joe at the club dance, Fran. Now I'm beginning to wonder."
"Oh?"
"He hasn't talked of a thing since. Watch your step now! After all, a guy with all Joe's money is always a temptation."
"Has Joe got money?"
(Money always piques female interest, and can be mentioned freely, regardless of facts. Checking takes time, and young hearts melt quickly.)
"Thought you knew about his grandmother. Fabulous."
You will find there is nothing like mutual admiration to bring a boy and a girl together.
2. The Consuming Passion
This is most effective when your real complaint is a lack of fire.
"I'm afraid of ms, Ethel."
"Of us, Davie?"
"Of our passions. Burn us both to ashes."
Give her one last flaming kiss, stifle a sob, and walk away. Do not turn back.
3. "It's Bigger than Both of Us"
This is effective only if you never reveal what it is that is bigger than both of you.
4. The Sudden Break
Breaking an engagement is like removing adhesive plaster. Do it quickly and decisively and you will spare not only her feelings but your own as well.
MANY OTHER WAYS
There are many other methods of breaking engagements. Study your fiancées. Find ways that will suit their personalities. Remember that every woman is a new opportunity and a new challenge. Bring sunshine into their lives, and when the sunshine is gone, go with it, gracefully and considerately. Leave behind you the tear of pity, never the angry word.
COMMON MISTAKES TO AVOID IN BREAKING ENGAGEMENTS
1. "I'm Not Good Enough for You"
Both this and the "You're too good for me'* approach always end in disaster.
Every woman looks upon every prospective male as a sorry mess, a blob of all but hopeless raw material. She is already sure you are not half good enough for her, but she had a whole set of plans for complete remodeling, redecorating and general rehabilitation.
After she gets through with you, she feels, you will be good enough for her.
2. "Let's be Civilized and Talk This Over"
This approach is both painful and totally ineffective. Women, you will discover, cannot talk about anything in a reasonable or logical manner. Your fiancée will either (a) get off the subject entirely, (b) use naked emotion and all that goes with it, or (c) use feminine Wiles to confuse and confound you. Follow these rules and you will avoid being forced into a premature marriage.
