There's a really fine line between being honest and blunt and trying to walk that line is no simple task. This is particularly true of online interaction in which you are trying to get to know someone without being able to read their body language. You want to be able to tell them the truth about whether or not you think that you might hit it off. But you're not quite sure which emoticon conveys "yeah right" and "but good luck, you're a nice person" at the same time.

Trying to navigate this emotional minefield in the complicated communication systems that we use today requires relying on your instincts. If you believe that someone is likely to be a clinger, latching on to any positive feedback you give them, you need to err on the side of blunt. On the other hand, if you think that the other person is nice and you could maybe be friends but that there's no attraction, you might want to err on the side of politely honest.

The important thing is to stay focused on the situation as it develops. Many people try to plan the whole conversation in advance, failing to respond to the interaction that's happening. This is particularly true of people who are communicating via email. By staying attuned to what the other person's reaction seems to be, you can better strut the line between honest and blunt.