How do you tell someone who's interested that they CAN'T have your number?

Just "man up" and say you aren't interested to those who ask for your number. Its ridiculous to give it to them, then ignore them...... As for Facebook, just block her then you won't get anymore messages.

If you give your number to someone, it implies that you will welcome their contact. It is natural for them to try a number of times, since you offered encouragement by giving your number. When you are asked for your number, say, "I am most easily contacted by email." and give them your email address only. Not responding to email is easily explained away by server problems and the like.

it would be nice of you to respond back to them when you get their first text, because after a day, and two, they feel it is rude of you not to respond since you gave them your number, so you are sending out the message that it's ok for them to be rude to you, right? Acknowledge the message, to see what they want..then you can answer what it is from there.

Do not give your number. If you want to give someone your number, do it in a situation where nobody else will see. If you can't manage that, just don't give out your number. If you miss an opportunity, you'll be able to take care of it the next day or whatever. If a person asks for your number, just say, "I don't give my number out, except to my closest friends, sorry." If that offends him, tough. Part of becoming a responsible adult involves growing a backbone. If you do not wish to give information out and you do it anyway for ANY reason, you are setting yourself up for trouble. The truth is: You do not OWE anyone your number. It's private for a reason!!!! Of course, if you are blissfully skipping around the lunch room, happily giving your number to any clown that asks, you are practically begging others to ask for it too. That's why you should never give out your number in public, only in private. If someone is texting you too often, just send him this: "You know, texting several times a day is considered stalking by some folks! I know that's not what you are doing, but please do not text me so much. It's creeping me out!" If he continues to text you, talk with a counselor or your parents or the police. It is stalking when a person keeps on pushing after the other tells them to stop. You don't owe people your availability! Stop acting as if people have a right to this information. You have a right to say now. If you would rather, when a person asks for your number, just say, "I am sorry, but that is not something I do." If they ask why, just say, "I am sorry, but I'd rather not discuss it." Then leave or go back to whatever you've been doing.

You do NOT owe your time to everyone who asks for it. NEVER give your contact info to someone you don't want to pursue a friendship or relationship with. Just Say "No." If they persist, walk away. Ignore all texts and messages you don't want to respond to, until they get the message. You can't blame people for using the number or chat info you provide them. That's your mistake -- giving out that info. You need to realize that you have NO obligation to give out your info, just because someone asked. No, don't lie about limited texting. Don't say anything at all about not replying to unwanted texts. If he brings it up, simply tell him that your not replying means that you aren't interesting in texting him. Glad to hear you aren't answering that former "friend" -- just keep ignoring her. Block her if you want. Why you don't apply the same principle to all the other people I don't get. If you don't want to up the relationship, don't. You have no obligation to become a friend to everyone who asks. Your time is your own, not everyone else's. (You only owe your time to family and real friends, and bosses -- people that you have a real commitment to giving your time to.) Just keep screening, and ignoring. But STOP giving out contact info to other people. "No. This has been fun, but I'm not looking for more friends" is the very MOST explanation you owe, if simply saying "no" is impossible for you. As long as you do it pleasantly (instead of rudely), there's nothing wrong in saying no. BTW, Miss Manners herself is with me on this one.

All you have to do in ALL cases is smile and say sorry, I never give out my number to anyone for any reason. Or you can give them the number to call the correct time.

Simple. Either say no, or tell them to give you their number instead. That way you can call them, if you want to.

To those who want your number and they keep asking and you don!t wanna give it to em, just say sorry, i don't give my number out to people i don't really know. Or if they already text you just say one of 'i think you misinterpreted our friendship' or just don't respond eventually they will get the message. As for the fbook friend, you can ignore them but she may have changed her ways. Eventually you have to be firm and say something but that would probably mean severing all ties with these people. If you're prepared for that then by all means go for it, else you have to define what relationship you will have with them.