Even with multiple targets, sort of

This from a woman I met at a poly dating thing (it was so Berkeley, but she was quite cool).

"Hi Secundus,
Sorry for not getting back to you sooner. We had an event at work that took up much of my time last week.

I've been mulling over this idea of dating, and to be honest, it's still not clicking for me. I can't get past the reminds-me-of-an-ex thing I mentioned. It was lovely to meet you, and I'm sure you will soon be well entrenched in various poly relationships."

Here's another one, just two or three weeks prior, after what seemed like a nice date, with both of us learning closer and closer in the bar (which wasn't that noisy):

"Hey Secundus --
Work has been crazy and I've been skipping my personal email for about 3 days. Sorry for my delay.

I like to take a couple days to let a new date settle in before making any decisions about how I feel--in the middle of things, I tend to just go along with what I think is the easiest course of action. At this point, thinking back to Monday evening, I have to say that I didn't feel *that* kind of spark with you; I would hate to waste your time (or mine) because I didn't tell you how I was really feeling. While I would be happy to spend time with you, I don't feel that romance is in the cards for us.

I hope things are going well for you and that you meet the perfect special someone (perhaps you have already met her since your last email to me? the world moves quickly sometimes).

-J"

First post, last letter

I'm starting this blog as a repository for all the letters (electronic or otherwise) people receive from those who, after a first date, are trying to signal nicely that they'd rather have their hair done by a chainsaw, with a dry from an aged perv's panting, than go on a second date.

Here's one:

"Secundus,
Thank you for taking time to meet me. Just wanted to let you know that I am happily seeing someone else.
Good luck to you,
V"

Notice the "good luck to you". This or variants on it will be a recurring trope; the message is that the writer sees no future interaction.