Is it possible to end a relationship nicely yet effectively?

To answer the topic question. No there is not unless its "over" for both of you.

My last relationship decayed over time and we eventually knew that any moment one of us was going to just say whats the point in this? I was the one to say it. She didn't get too upset and now about a year of being broken up we are still good friends and having a relationship past seems to be the farthest things from our mind. You just need to start over fresh if you want to continue being peaceful friends. Its hard and awkward at first but it gets better.

Never, cheat before ending a relationship. Never!
Always, end a current relationship, before finding new love.

It is very painful, to be rejected, only to find that the woman you loved, was polishing the nob, of another guy, before she decided to leave you.

Strangely, it doesn't hurt as much, if they date afterwards.

However, rejection, and the death of a relationship will always be hard. Many people, will outright refuse to even see eye to eye, after it. Even if it ended on a somewhat, good note. I prefer, to fully move on, and forget about the other person entirely.

i agree with boredguy, so true

Breaking up, especially after a lengthy relationship is never easy. I've had this situation that I really tried every way I could and he was just obsessed. It really depends on the person. Some people refuse to accept it's over and it's such an ordeal to finally get away from them. In this instance hope to god you don't have kids and/or live together. It can be hell!!

Make it a clean cut or they'll linger, misread what you do, think there's hope, and misread everything. Don't talk to her for months so she understands it. My boyfriend didn't do that, so now his ex is desperately trying to get him back and thinks there's hope. Poor pathetic creature... it's quite annoying, really.

Be honest, be nice, tell it as it is. You gave it a try, but it's not what you're looking for, that's all. Just say you would like to remain as friends, because he or she is still a good person inside. If the other doesn't understand, or gets upset about it in any way, it then is no longer your problem, but still be nice. It's usually hard for someone to accept a downfall, so make note of it.

Your poll answers are... strange. The best way is to be caring and considerate. Break up to their face and DON'T involve anyone else, just be the friend you once were before you dated and hope feelings are mutual that it's over.

3 years after my partner and I split and we are friends but we're only friends if we're put together at a party. It's always light and we don't swap secrets anymore. I would like to be the friends we were when we caught up and did things but it seems pointless. I got a text dumped, his family was involved, he ignored me and treated me badly afterward. It would of been much simpler and less traumatizing if he just followed those rules up above. :] Goodluck.