Breaking up is never easy. The important thing to do is to minimize the damage when it is time to drop those time tested magic words that simply goes like this: "It's not you, it's me".

Sometimes it can't be helped, despite of a couple's best effort, a relationship goes sour. It's nobody's fault, so you claim. But it is important that you say this with complete conviction. Otherwise it just becomes another clich, and this might be enough to ignite her anger. Instead of having a nice, clean, hassle-free break up, it becomes a big blown out scene with sobs and all. Take note, that those pathetic sobs will not come from a woman!

Here are some tips that men could memorize, on how to break up with a woman. This might come in handy some day, so commit it to memory!

1. Location is key. Men who are planning to break up with their girlfriends should prepare ahead of time. They should make sure that the break up doesn't happen on her home turf. Because this will put men on a disadvantage. Pick a place that is neutral. Her favorite restaurant is not considered neutral.

This will only rouse her memory of all the happy times you spend together on that place. This environment might have the effect of her coming down on you like a ton of bricks. Before you know it, she will be blaming you for everything that is going wrong in her life. Plus, everyone will look at you like you are the bad guy. No sir, this is not a good idea! You will not win any sympathy votes here. Try the park instead!

2. Never break up with a woman over the phone. This will earn any man the title of the scoundrel of the century, and rightly so. Men should at least honor the woman who became a part of their lives with their presence when it comes time to call it quits. It is the noble thing to do.

3. Don't let her be the last to know. There is saying that goes "Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned". This is something that any man would not want to experience in person!

If a man is thinking of breaking up with his girlfriend, he should not let the word out on it until the girlfriend has been informed. Imagine the drama that it will create if she found out about it through one of his friends, or worse gossip.

The confrontation that will then ensue will be ugly! Men should save themselves this headache by telling their woman first.

4. Timing is everything. Never break up with a woman during her birthday, or Valentines Day! At all costs, holidays should be avoided. This is just plain cruel!

5. Men should tell their girlfriend the reason why they are breaking up with them. This would be the decent thing to do. So afterwards, she will not wonder as to why the whole thing fell apart. Put it this way, if it were the other way around, you would want to know too! Be honest but kind. Afterwards, men can congratulate themselves for the sensitivity they've displayed and feel good about themselves!

6. If she starts screaming at you, don't scream back. Consider it the price you have to pay for ending what maybe in her eyes, "a match made in heaven". Some women are naturally emotional. Men should expect some display of histrionics when it is time to break up with their girlfriends. In fact, they should prepare for it.

Before a man breaks up with a woman they have to make sure that his decision is final! There will not be turning back once this deed is done. If he suddenly changes his mind after breaking a woman's heart, the chances are it will not be likely that she will take him back. This is the part when a man's life takes an ugly turn because now he is completely at the mercy of the woman. Make sure that this doesn't happen to you by thinking about this decision many times over.

Once you've decided that there is not future for the two of you, take the high road, and play the sensitive guy! This way, she will not hold the break up against you, and she will tell everyone she knows that you're the bad guy!