To think that it’s okay to ghost someone if you’re not interested?

[OneSassyTaupeEagle]

In today’s dating world, I’ve found that people often just drift apart. Is it acceptable to ghost someone instead of having an awkward convo about not wanting to continue a relationship?

Basic manners cost nothing. Ghosting is shitty behaviour

Well it would work both ways then, and people complain on here if they are ghosted but are willing to do it to others

Would you be ok if someone you were interested in ghosted you, rather than telling you directly?

I just think it takes seconds to send a quick message to say you're no longer interested.

I used to just text ‘sorry I’m no longer available for dates. Good luck’ then block.

Absolutely not. Because others do it, doesn't mean you should be so cold. A simple text to say you're not feeling it/ well suited/ in the same phase/have different priorities or whatever is the basic courtesy to give anyone. I'm completely baffled by the entire concept of ghosting: I think it's counterintuitive to how society should work.

My best friend is back on the dating scene & was incredibly hurt by a ghosting by someone she was in a relationship with for 4 months. It hurts my brain how someone can just do that! His loss, as she's wonderful, but it's still not good.

why can't you have that conversation?
Unless you think the person is likely to turn violent, what's wrong with a reply of "this isn't really working for me" or "no thanks, I'd rather not, we don't seem to have a lot in common" to the next invitation.
How would you feel if you really liked someone and they did that to you?

Alternatively other person might be feeling exactly the same way about you, and either not notice or feel relieved.

Depends. After just messaging or one date/no kiss, fine. After a date and a snog then you should send a text. After several dates even with no kiss/sex you should text. After sex always a text no matter how many dates you've been on. However in my experience I've had mutual ghosting after less than satisfactory dates/sex where clearly neither of us was bothered and there's an unspoken mutual agreement not to bother staying in touch 😆 in those cases no text is needed, only if one party clearly wants to have another date and the other doesn't.

Letting it fizzle out is not the same as ghosting.

Like after a date:

"Thanks for a fun night!"
"Yeah, loved meeting you!"

And then never texting again is fine.

"Thanks for a fun night!"
"Yeah, can we do it again next week?"

And then never texting is just rude.

As above, fizzling out is not ghosting.

Ghosting is pathetic, cowardly behaviour.

A text saying you are not interested is clearly kinder so that everyone can move on swiftly.

Sometimes the conversation naturally fizzles out but if one party is keen and the other isn’t just say I’m no longer available.

Not texting/calling is fine.
Not answering is not. It takes 30sec to write something like ‘thanks for the evening - I’m not available to date anymore but it was nice getting to know you, all the best’

If it's on a dating site and it's their first message then I think it's fine to simply not reply. If you've been seeing someone or even just messaging for a few days, then I think it's polite to give some kind of explanation.

Of course it isn’t. You grow a pair and send the uncomfortable text!

It depends.

Some people ghost because the relationship was very brief and there was no expectation it would go further.

Some ghost because of fears about someone's reaction to being rejected. Women have been murdered for this.

Some just find some massive life chaos happens and they haven't really got the time or headspace to be contacting someone to let them know they don't want another date.