Sometimes as we grow up, we find ourselves hanging out with people we don't want to any more, but we still do, for they are our friends. In fact, if you go through this phase, you'd also probably not even remember why or how you guys ever became friends in the first place. Maybe you two have grown up to become different types of people with different interests and principles, like he's into taking catfies (cowfie is still a seasonal thing) and you're allergic to cats. This is when, ladies and gentlemen, you know it's time for you to 'friend breakup'.

Now, the easiest way of doing so is slowly cutting off. You know, reducing contact gradually over time till you virtually become strangers who like each other's profile pictures every now and then. Except, there's one flaw in that plan. Some say that true friends remain so even if they haven't talked in a long time, so the person you're trying to let go of might actually be thinking you guys are 'true friends'. Therefore, you need to draw some courage and let them know -- politely or otherwise -- that you no longer want to be friends. Or, just make sure they pick up the hint. Let's see how.

1. Talk to them. This requires a lot of courage. And you need a lot of planning, so as not to hurt their feelings. Basically you need to sit them down, and break the news to them. You can't be downright blunt and insensitive, and neither can you be ambiguous. “I think we grew up to be different people.” Yeah, that could be your opening line. If you think you can't have a talk with them in person, do so online. Point to be noted, standard rules of breakup don't apply to this case, so yes, you can have “the talk” online.

2. If the friend has wronged you in any way, build on that. Act madder than you are, be a drama queen/king about it, and stop talking to them altogether. But it's still best if you tell them that you can't be friends any longer because they've wronged you. Of course they'll say how sorry they are, in which case, it will be tough to turn your back on them, but you gotta do what you gotta do. Don't back up.

3. Tell them you don't like their better half, and that since you know how much they are in love, you are ready to bite the bullet and let go of the friendship. That way, you seem noble and altruistic, but then again, they may come running back to you after getting dumped, and you're back to square one. Note that this plan is not applicable if your friend is forever alone.

4. Initiate avoidance. Don't reply to their Facebook messages, but make sure they know you have “seen” it. Don't answer their calls. If they want to meet you, delay the meet as long as possible, and then cancel at the last moment. “I got an exam” or “I have a doctor's appointment” or the fail-proof “Got family plans, dude” are easy ways to stall the meeting for long, and also sends out the message to them to back off.

5. Tell others that you don't like the friend, and ensure you are saying this to BBC (Beshi Bokbok Corey). That way, you can save yourself from having “the talk”.

6. Apply reverse psychology. Become a clingy friend and post weird pictures and videos on their walls, or send them inappropriate texts in the middle of the night, and do everything in your capacity that drives them away from you. Win-win for all.

If you can't do any of the things we discussed here, I've got some bad news for you: you are never getting rid of that friend, so you might as well leave town.