12 Polite Ways to Say You Don’t Like Something

It’s hard to know the best ways to tell someone you don’t like something.

After all, the last thing you want to do is appear rude or dismissive.

Well, you’re in luck!

This article will explore a polite way to say you dislike something. You can use any of the following phrases:

• I appreciate your efforts, but it’s not quite to my taste
• I’m afraid it’s not quite what I had in mind
• Thank you for sharing, but it’s not really my cup of tea
• I can see the appeal, but it’s not something I particularly enjoy
• I respect your choice, but it’s not something I would choose
• I’m sorry, but I don’t find it to be my style
• I can understand why others might like it, but it’s not for me
• I’m sorry if it disappoints you, but I don’t like it
• I am not really into that kind of thing
• I’m afraid I don’t share the same enthusiasm for it
• It’s not quite up my alley
• I can see the value in it, but it’s just not for me

Keep reading to learn how to say you don’t like something in a nice way. We’ve also provided examples to help you understand each one better.

1. I Appreciate Your Efforts, but It’s Not Quite to My Taste

If you need to know how to say you don’t like something professionally, start with “I appreciate your efforts, but it’s not quite to my taste.”

This is a great one to use in formal emails.

Rather than outright telling someone you don’t like their idea, this allows you to shut it down gently.

Starting with “I appreciate your efforts” shows you’re glad someone took a chance, even if it didn’t work well for you.

The following sample email should also help you:

Dear Ms. Clarkson,

I appreciate your efforts, but it’s not quite to my taste. Leave it with me, and I’ll see what I can do.

Best,
Sean Woodley

2. I’m Afraid It’s Not Quite What I Had in Mind

“I’m afraid it’s not quite what I had in mind” is another way to say “I don’t like it.” It’s professional and respectful, showing that you’re not quite sure about something.

For instance, if you set a task for an employee, you might have had something specific in mind with the result.

When they return to you with incorrect or poor work, you can use this phrase to remind them to try again.

You can also review this email sample:

Dear Rachel,

I’m afraid it’s not quite what I had in mind. Don’t worry; we can come up with some solutions together.

All the best,
Michael Murphy

3. Thank You for Sharing, but It’s Not Really My Cup of Tea

Starting with a polite phrase like “thank you for sharing” shows you’re encouraging and friendly.

From there, you can say you don’t like something by writing “it’s not really my cup of tea.”

This one works better in messages to colleagues. We don’t recommend using it in emails because it’s a bit more informal.

Check out these examples if you need more help:

Thank you for sharing, but it’s not really my cup of tea. Still, that took courage, and I appreciate it!

Thank you for sharing, but it’s not really my cup of tea. Let me know if you have other ideas, though.

4. I Can See the Appeal, but It’s Not Something I Particularly Enjoy

You should always try to be positive before rejecting an idea. That’s why it’s wise to say “I can see the appeal” before saying you don’t like something.

After the positive phrase, write “it’s not something I particularly enjoy.”

We recommend using this when writing to students. It’s good to include it in messages or notes that might help them to understand where their mistakes are.

You can also review the following examples:

I can see the appeal, but it’s not something I particularly enjoy. You should keep working on it for now.

Okay, I can see the appeal, but it’s not something I particularly enjoy. I think you need to reevaluate it.

5. I Respect Your Choice, but It’s Not Something I Would Choose

If you’re looking for a professional way to say you don’t like something, start with “I respect your choice.”

From there, you can open up and let someone know you wouldn’t choose the same option.

It suggests they’ve made a bad judgment and you’d like them to reevaluate.

If you’re still confused, review these examples:

Well, I respect your choice, but it’s not something I would choose. Have you tried a different approach?

I respect your choice, but it’s not something I would choose. I think you have to try a few different variations.

6. I’m Sorry, but I Don’t Find It to Be My Style

Feel free to use “I’m sorry, but I don’t find it to be my style” as another way to say you don’t like something.

It’s formal and honest. It lets people know you simply don’t agree with what they’ve suggested.

Try it when replying to a message from a colleague. It shows you’re glad they reached out, but you can’t see eye-to-eye.

Also, these examples should help:

I’m sorry, but I don’t find it to be my style. Still, I’m sure someone else will appreciate the work you’ve done.

I’m sorry, but I don’t find it to be my style. There are just a few too many things wrong with it.

7. I Can Understand Why Others Might Like It, but It’s Not for Me

Next, you can use “I can understand why others might like it, but it’s not for me.”

Starting with an empathic and open phrase like “I can understand why others might like it” helps to lessen the blow.

It’s good in formal emails to coworkers. It shows you respect them and don’t want to hurt their feelings.

Here is a great email example to help you with it:

Dear Suzie,

I can understand why others might like it, but it’s not for me. I’m afraid you’ll need to change it.

Best regards,
Tom Walker

8. I’m Sorry if It Disappoints You, but I Don’t Like It

Feel free to write “I’m sorry if it disappoints you, but I don’t like it.”

This is an honest way to reject an idea.

It works well in emails to employees. It shows you appreciate the work they’ve put in, but you have a few ideas that would make it more suitable for you.

Check out this sample email if you’re still unsure:

Dear Jack,

I’m sorry if it disappoints you, but I don’t like it. Please review the attachment to see what I would change about it.

All the best,
Geoffrey Nicks

9. I Am Not Really Into That Kind of Thing

It’s also good to use “I am not really into that kind of thing.” It shows you don’t like something in more friendly and honest ways.

We recommend using it when someone suggests a bad idea. It shows you don’t agree with their suggestion and would prefer it if they came up with something new.

You can also review the following examples:

I am not really into that kind of thing. I appreciate the lengths you’ve gone to, but it’s simply not for me.

While I appreciate your hard work, I am not really into that kind of thing. Still, thank you for coming to me.

10. I’m Afraid I Don’t Share the Same Enthusiasm for It

For something slightly more conversational and genuine, try “I’m afraid I don’t share the same enthusiasm for it.”

It shows that you respect someone’s choice but disagree with their idea. It’s a great way to remain humble and direct when rejecting a proposal in a message.

Check out these examples to see how it works:

I’m afraid I don’t share the same enthusiasm for it that others might. It just looks a bit rushed.

I completely understand that some of the guys like this work. I’m afraid I don’t share the same enthusiasm for it.

11. It’s Not Quite up My Alley

We also recommend using “it’s not quite up my alley” as a more informal alternative.

It shows you don’t like something and don’t want to pursue it further.

Generally, this works when arranging plans with friends. It shows you don’t like the ideas they’ve come up with and would prefer to do something different.

Here are some great examples to help you:

While I get that others like this, it’s not quite up my alley. I would change a few things before handing it in.

Well, it’s not quite up my alley. If you’re open to suggestions, I’d be happy to share some changes with you.

12. I Can See the Value in It, But It’s Just Not for Me

Saying “I can see the value in it” when someone provides you with an idea shows you respect them.

However, you can follow it up with “it’s just not for me.” This shows you don’t like their idea and want them to continue working to improve it.

Try it when emailing a client. It shows they’re on the right track, but you disagree with their current plan.

You can also review this email sample:

Dear Mr. Burbage,

This is a decent project idea, but I’m not sure it’ll work. I can see the value in it, but it’s just not for me.

All the best,
Jon Clank