Friendly fade is a passive-aggressive method to 'break up' with a friend without being hurtful. This method is NOT an abrupt¹ process and can apply to just about anyone. Care should be taken when choosing this strategy:

Friendly fade是用消极被动但意图明显的方式来与朋友断交的一种方式，这样不至于太伤人。我们可以称之为“友好分手”。这种断交的方式是一个缓慢的过程，所有人都适用。使用这种策略时要注意几点：

 

-Take longer and longer intervals² to return phone calls, text messages, etc.. and avoid making commitments. For ex: take a week to return a voicemail or a few days for a text. As the weeks go by, the lag between all communications gradually increases.

-Never answer the phone if you see that person's number on your caller ID. Wait at least a week to return the message (unless it's an emergency), preferably via text.

-Avoid face-to-face meetings (like coffee or lunch) and make excuses to skip activities you both enjoyed previously³ (like going to the movies).