Ghosting (verb): The act of suddenly ceasing all communication with someone the subject is dating, but no longer wishes to date. This is done in hopes that the ghostee will just “get the hint” and leave the subject alone, as opposed to the subject simply telling them he/she is no longer interested.
Let me start out by saying, I have been ghosted before and I have also ghosted slightly.
One way of ghosting someone you went out on a date with or hooked up with is just never contacting them again. Never answering their texts, deleting their friend requests, and basically ignoring their existence. If there seemed to be a serious connection, you had been on more than one date, or if you had sex – do not ghost someone. That just sucks. You can’t just ignore someone you got to know personally. It’s rude and childish.
I’ve been ghosted like that and all I can really do is shrug my shoulders and move on. It’s not really fair to not offer a slight explanation so that the person you’re ghosting doesn’t go crazy over whether you’re ignoring them or just busy. Or why you didn’t like them or why you didn’t even give a slight hint that you weren’t interested
I’ve never ghosted quite like that, but I have ghosted someone in the sense that I was hoping they would just get the hint. I would avoid making plans with them, take a long amount of time to text back (and let’s face it – we are all always on our phones), and would ignore texts here and there. Does it always work? No, not everyone gets the hint. And eventually it gets to the point where I just stop answering all together. Usually after the third or fourth ignored text they get it…but not all the time.
To back that up, I have straight up told people that I’m not interested, I think we’re too different, I think we have different priorities, etc. And they still don’t get the hint. They harass and feel hurt by it, which in turn makes you feel bad just because you didn’t have a connection with someone and you were trying to let them down nicely.
So don’t ghost. But also, if they don’t get the hint it’s not your fault. Sometimes, you have to stop answering. Show your disinterest in furthering the relationship or just explain why you don’t think it’s going to work. It’s up to both sides to be honest with each other and their own self.
I’ve never ghosted someone that I’ve outright exchanged numbers with, but I’ll admit that I’ve done it more than a few times within a dating app’s chat/message function. And I only do it if I’m seriously offended by something they’ve said (in which case I unmatch them, too) or if the conversation just naturally dies. Otherwise I’ll find a polite was to say, “thanks, but no thanks.”
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I am 100% guilty of doing it on dating apps, but no real connection has been made there yet so I don’t really feel bad about it.
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I remember being on both sides of ghosting back in the day, before it was a word. Though it was only in the circumstances when I told them I wasn’t interested and they still didn’t get it.
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hahah I think the word “ignore” works just as well, but gotta keep up with the trends. That’s mainly how I choose to ghost, too. It’s just awkward when they don’t get the hint.
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Yeah, I was always pretty sensitive to hints so I knew if I was getting ghosted. But not everyone is as sensitive to that kind of thing.
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veryyy true or they just choose to be persistent haha
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I love this! Very timely for me, it seems. Thank you, again, for the nomination. It was a nice way to learn of new blogs, too! Great way to network.
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Thank you 🙂 and no problem – always glad to support other great bloggers!
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I never shut up about this on DTT6 so I am glad there are others out there who agree! Great post (as always).
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Thank you 🙂 My favorite part about blogging is realizing others think the same way as me!
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Ghosting makes me despair of humanity…
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It’s the worst. Being honest is hard, but ignoring someone takes probably as much effort.
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And it’s just a cowardly, despicable thing to do…
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To all the people I ghosted, I am sorry. I should have just came out in open and upfront with the truth. After been a ghostee I have realised how cruel and selfish it it! It hurts so bad :”'(
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It does suck! At least now you know what to do from now on, I think we’re all guilty of ghosting at one point in our lives.
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Rosie, I think it is best to straight up tell someone that you are not interested at all or interested anymore. even though it may seem harsh or hurt, in the long run it is best for both parties. People have ego’s, and being ignored will send a person ego into an insane frenzy. Sometimes it has at adverse affect, ignoring someone, they turn crazy on your ass and text and call even more. I’ve had a couple windows smashed. Just my two pennies.
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I totally agree, I think in my more immature days I just let the communication fade out. But now if I have gone on a date with someone or have been talking to them for a good amount of time, I try to just be honest. Rejecting someone isn’t easy no matter what you do
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Yep, I think as we get older, well not older, just more mature, we tend to want to nip things in the bud earlier than later.
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very true! We know what’s working and what’s not
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I don’t date, but I still ghost.
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Ghosting is a good way to avoid dating lol
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Reblogged this on GUM: Growing Up Millennial.
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Thanks for the reblog 🙂
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I wrote a couple of posts about this, and educated my married friends about it. I don’t ghost someone unless they have serious issues with respecting my boundaries that I have repeated for them over and over again. At that point I don’t consider it a true ghosting.
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Yea that’s totally justified. There are some reasons that makes it okay! But most people are just cowards and think ghosting is an easy way out
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Absolutely! Our interpersonal skills have definitely gone to the shitter on so many fronts. 😦
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Haha…ghosting someone so maybe they could take a hint. Nothing wrong with that. Too bad most people need more than just hints to understand it’s not going to work out. I so don’t miss dating anyone.
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Ugh that’s so true. I think people get so desperate for a relationship they’ll grasp at anything and avoid the hints. I’ve given up on dating and it was a great decision for now lol
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I try not to ghost. I usually find a way to say “no,” if I’m not interested. The only time I ever disappear on someone if if I get the creeper vibe and want to get out.
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Unfortunately I get so many creepy vibes I end up ghosting more than I’d like to lol
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Well, there *is* that. LOL
I’ve run into too many scammers to be trusting anymore.
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This is not a new phenomenon. I’m an old guy, so before cell phones and Facebook, you might meet someone and get there number and never call them. I have also been the victim of the fake phone number. Of course, back then, that was the end of it with no social media or Google to find them and stalk them 🙂
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Hahah these days everyone takes it to the next level with social media. Ghosting now is just silly because there are so many methods of contact. Good to know things never change haha
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I wonder if I was “ghosted” by my own boyfriend… lol This is a very fitting blog to my situation. Except how does one “ghost” their girlfriend… maybe I’m overthinking. I would make much more sense had he not kept saying he’s not ignoring me, offering apologies and even saying he still feels the same way about me, without me prompting him to say these things… yet, I still feel like I’ve been ghosted by my boyfriend…
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My ex kind of broke up with me by ghosting me lol it’s definitely possible. He offered apologies and things like that basically because he was too cowardly to actually end the relationship. I hope everything works out for you! Some people just need time and I guess that could look like ghosting
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I got ghosted by the guy I went on a date with few weeks ago and it sucks since I really liked him and he said that he had a good time and felt that we clicked (he kissed me), then radio silence. I asked him days later if he wanted to meet again some day and he said yes, but I told him to be honest and that I can handle the truth. I dont think that I will ever hear from him again even though he said that wanted to meet me again
Been 10 days… nothing! I will not write to him again!
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Yea don’t waste your time! I had a very similar thing happen to me, we ended up going on a second date after not hearing from him for a while and then silence after that even though he asked me to hang out again. Guys like that aren’t worth going crazy over
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Did he contact you or did you for the second date? Yeah I mean right now I’m focusing on me but we will see what happens right?
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I think he ignored me for a while and then contacted me again. I was dumb for going on the second date since it was already clear he was a ghosted. I’m doing the same thing and it makes me way happier than forcing the dating life. Whatever happens, happens 🙂
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Hm guys have no shame! I mean they are the one who initiated everything and kissing you yet they have the nerve to ghost you? In my case I gave the guy an opportunity to be honest and still he said yes. Why? He could have ended it there! GAH!
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They’re just cowards honestly
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I love anything and everything that is written well… yeah you got some good content going on there for sure.
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