I just want to be friends - the other side

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Most people think that being on the receiving end of these words is the kiss of death. Yet what of the person who has to be honest and let this person know they don't feel the same. What if this is someone who feels very connected to this other persons, best friends for life type thing, is used to spending time with the person, sharing details about their lives, and just having fun and hanging out - yet feels no romantic flame? So when the other person approaches them and tells them their romantic feelings - they have to be honest yet in being honest they will lose someone close to them...this has happened to me many times. Sometimes because I didn't feel the same - sometimes because the timing was off - and each time I lost this person completely. They just cut themselves off from my life fully. Even if we had been friends for years. I'm not so good at making friends with girls, I can never seem to really connect with them and after being hurt in this way so many times by guys, I just stop making friends. Has this ever happened to you - from either side - either the one who felt they were in love - or as the friend who didn't feel the same and was punished for it?