When does ‘space’ turn into ghosting?

[Casperormarvin]

I’ve been dating someone for about two months and while it was a little intense at times I really like him. But then things got a little weird a few days ago and we had a fight. I think we were both in the wrong but I still apologised. Long story short short he didn’t reply to my message and when I followed it up he said please don’t contact him, he needs space. I said that was a shame but I understand, goodbye etc and he replied to the effect of ‘you haven’t lost me, but I need space right now’. I agreed to leave the next contact to him.

I don’t know what to do now a few days has passed and interested in your thoughts on:

When does Space become ghosting?

What’s a reasonable time to give someone space and at what point are you within your rights to tell them to piss off when they come back?

Is he taking the piss?

I wanted it to work though and am a little sad too

Honestly if I had such a major row in the first 2 months of a relationship that I needed space, I wouldn’t contact the other person again. The first 6 months to a year of a relationship is the honeymoon period so if you’re arguing already it’s definitely not a good sign. Suggest you start dating other people.

What’s a reasonable time to give someone space and at what point are you within your rights to tell them to piss off when they come back?

Kind decent people understand that open communication is part of any human relationship - whether that is friendship, lovers or relatives.

Silence is not kind or decent. A request for "space" is a modern way of saying "leave me alone" and an indication silence will follow from their side.

Personally I'd say a request for space in an adult relationship of a couple of months after one row is actually a bit immature. It's not a healthy way to deal with what is just a row.

If someone is wanting space in that time, a nice person will keep in touch in some way to make clear they haven't ghosted.

If you've not heard anything within a week, I'd write it off and if he comes back, realise you are most likely dealing with someone who uses silence and stonewalling as a controlling technique which maybe abusive.