Turning down someone... odd?

[singsong]

Hi everyone! I'm new on the forums and just getting back into dating, and I have a situation that I'd love some advice on.

 

I'm about 7 months out of a long term relationship, and I'm just starting to casually date again. Recently, I was at a friend's birthday and I began chatting with one of the guys there. He was extremely drunk and while he was nice at first, he started acting like a jackass pretty quickly (pawing my butt, farting and burping, etc.) He asked for my number at the end of the night, but because he asked in front of a group of his friends and mine, I didn't feel like I could say no without looking horrible and I gave it to him. Since the birthday party, he's texted me a few times and added me to facebook, and continues to text despite my trying as hard as I can to hint that I'm not interested (late responding to texts, unenthusiastic reponses, etc.). His most recent text was something to the effect of "We should get together some time!" and I'm stuck as to how to respond. I feel like he's not explicitly asked me on a *date*, so is it ok for me to respond as though he had and tell him I'm not interested? And if so, how do I say it? Is it totally inappropriate and unkind to just be "busy" whenever he wants to get together until he gets the hint? I'm having a hard time because a) I've not dated in ages, b) I'm a little annoyed with how he treated me at the wedding but I'm still trying to be civil, and c) I don't want to hurt any feelings because I think he's close friends with my friend who had the birthday party.

 

Any advice would be SOO MUCH appreciated

[MrTurk]

Grow a pair and tell him you arent interested.

 

Its your life...dont worry about what your "friends" will think if you tell him he's annoying and rude and not worth dating.

[Carenth]

Just tell him you are not interested. Some guys (most) are pretty dense and won't pick up on your hints and need you to be direct.

[pcplod]

Subtlety obviously isn't his thing. Time to raise the ante, to be firm, emphatic and unambiguous. That doesn't mean having to be rude. Do it discreetly, privately if technically possible. You can achieve what you need to do with out being either rude or making a public show of it. If he still persists after that then he will be choosing to give you no other option.

 

Don't be a heel to others because you worry about making unpopular decisions. People should get over it and if they don't they and their opinions are not worth valuing.

[Lansing]

I agree that you should tell him that you aren't interested.