Okay I'm re-entering the dating world. Been out for quite some time and was never very good at it. My question: What's the proper etiquette for breaking things off if you've been on several dates but don't want to go out again?

I ask because I recently had 3 dates with a guy, and they were all fantastic. I really enjoyed his company. But he didn't call again after the 3rd one. I had sent him a short Facebook message after Date 3 thanking him for the date. Several days later I sent a quick message asking if he were interested in getting together again the following weekend. He didn't respond to either of those. Finally a week later I texted him and asked if he wanted to meet for happy hour. I thought the text would be a chance for him to just say so if he weren't interested in ever meeting again. He did respond to that but only to say that he had to work late and that he might be free on Sunday but wasn't sure yet. I responded and just said stay in touch if you'd like to get together again and I really enjoyed our past date.

I'm guessing that the unresponsiveness means that he doesn't want to go out again. Should I expect him to say so? Or is the norm nowadays just not to respond? I get that that's less awkward than outright saying that you don't want to go out again, but isn't it kind of mean?

This is a real question. Do you say so if you're not interested after 3 dates or just don't return messages?

I'm not sure what's worse. Obviously, I won't call him again if he doesn't respond to me, but it does leave me hanging a bit and wondering. But on the other hand, it's not very fun to have someone tell you they're not interested, so maybe this is easier.

Is there a "rule"?

Thanks,
Sidony (not much of a player)