I prefer being somewhere that’s private with little chance to be interrupted.  I also prefer telling someone when we have plenty of time to be together, so that we can continue discussing it for as long as necessary (or as many times as necessary, as usually the questions really pop up after the news has settled a bit).  I don’t recommend telling your partner just before you go out of town, as he/she might conjure up all sorts of ideas about it without being able to talk to you.  You might find that when you get back, your partner is no longer answering your calls (as once happened to me).    

Being prepared to break the news is just as important as actually giving the news.  The more you’ve thought about it, and the less spontaneous the conversation is, the better the outcome will be.  At least that’s been my experience.  Does anyone have a different outlook?  Any preparatory tips of your own that I haven’t mentioned?  Please add your thoughts, advice, stories, etc.  Then stay tuned for part II of How to Tell Your Partner.