Cuffing season is upon us folks, but that doesn't necessarily mean that everyone out there wants to settle down and commit to a serious relationship. We've all been there: you meet someone you like, you start talking and maybe even go out on some dates, and then either they or you hits the other person with the classic "what are we" line. This is when you realize that both of you don't want the same thing.

Not wanting the same thing isn't a necessarrily a bad thing. Sometimes people are just at different points in their lives. The male gender is more notorious for being the one's not to want to commit to a relationship, but love and heartbreak are two way streets and females can be just as noncommittal.

No matter what gender, we are all bound to meet people who make excuses for not being able to settle down. In the moment we may have just nodded our heads and accepted that we wouldn't end up with this person, but later we were just stuck scratching our heads in disbelief that they had really just said that instead of telling you the honest reason that they didn't want to be with you. Heck, maybe they even believed the excuse themselves - we may never know - but in the end, it was still an excuse.

After a short time spent on this planet, my friends and I have gathered a plethora of awkward encounters and excuses. I wish to share them with you, so you don't feel like you're the only one.

1. "I need to focus on my music"

We've all known that guy with an artsy hobby. You thought the fact they were in a band was cute. You thought that their photography made them more in tune with the world. But mostly, you thought that because they were into artsy things they'd be more sensitive and a romantic type. You were wrong. Instead when you popped the relationship questions on them, and they said that they needed to focus more on their "art." It seemed like a legitimate reason at first, but then once you realized that they were an engineering major with a garage band that only met once a month, things seemed a little off.

2. "I'm trying to eat healthy"

Sorry, I didn't know that I came with a side of fires. You thought that this guy's want to make himself the best he could be was motivating. He made you want to eat healthy, think positively and improve yourself. But then he started focusing only on himself and his health and started counting you as a carb.

3. "We're from two different worlds"

The phrase opposites attract described you and him perfectly. Maybe you looked completely different, watched different shows or had different political views. That didn't matter, because you two got along...or at least until you wanted to be Facebook official. Then, all of a sudden, you two were "too different" and it "would never work." He started to change his tune and ignore that you shared the same values just because you were more Coke and he was more Pepsi.

4. "My cat is having surgery"

Yes, this was an actual excuse used not to become monogamous. His cat was having minor foot - or should I say paw - surgery and he cut off all contact with my friend after not explaining how this would affect their relationship. To this day we are still stumped by this excuse. Just another mystery of the universe.

5. "We were always just friends"

Well it's very hard to imagine you cuddling with your bros when you're watching a rom-com, or holding hands with your bros while walking through the park, or kissing your bros goodbye after a taco date. Maybe you're just creepily close with your friends, or maybe it was an excuse.

6. "I can't do distance"

Distance can be a valid reason not to start something. However, when the "distance" is you moving to the other side of campus, and campus is a 20 minute walk at most, it seems like a weak argument.

7. "I want to stay single for Halloween"

This person wants to stay single for the sole purpose of being single to party. While it is nice to have the freedom to be single and socialize, for the right person, you can give up the bachelor lifestyle. So if you're using a certain holiday as an excuse, they're not the right person and you should just tell them that.

At the end of the day, honesty is just the best policy. Be honest with yourself and the other person on why a relationship isn't going to work. Whether it's that you're not over your ex or that you're simply not ready, just say that. It may sting the other person a little more, but they will also respect the fact that you were honest and didn't serve them a pile-of-trash excuse.