this post was submitted on 24 Oct 2025
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Do you consider ghosting people a reasonable way to deal with today's overwhelming and constant information and notification overload? Or do you find it offensive and unfriendly?

Would you equate it to a person ignoring you irl or is ignoring a text different?

For this post let's assume the people involved are or were in the past friends, and ghosting is leaving someone on "read" for more than 2 days.

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[–] turdcollector69@lemmy.world 1 points 6 days ago

It depends on the situation and level of time investment.

If it's someone you just met and immediately didn't vibe with I think it's fine, no time invested

If you've been on a date with them it's kinda expected to turn them down. Time has been invested, if it's a no don't let them waste time.

If you run into them regularly it's a bad idea regardless because leaving them on perpetual read with no resolution creates tension.

[–] DaniNatrix@leminal.space 1 points 5 days ago

I've always associated the term with the online dating arena. However, I've lost touch with people after moving cities, or having various life changes occur (sobriety etc.), is that ghosting? I've had to go no contact with a few ex partners and friends for mental health and safety purposes, is that ghosting? I have adhd inattentive and occasionally respond in my head to a text message but unintentionally fail to respond in actuality, is that ghosting?

The definition seems to depend on the recipient to a large degree. A lot of folks here are saying "you have to communicate or it's cruel/cowardly/sociopathic"(yikes to that last one btw). Well, I recently had to end a friendship and I communicated to them, as kindly and as clearly as I could, that things had run their course. I did not ignore them or suddenly cut them off, I communicated. They didn't like what I had to say, and went a little bonkers, so I blocked them and now their story is that I ghosted them. Idk, it seems to be a slippery term in my experience.

I've never felt offended by someone losing touch with me or by getting busy with life etc. Life happens, things and people change, it seems natural to me that a lot of relationships have expiration dates to various degrees. The only times I've had people aburptly end communication with me was when I'd said or done something egregious and I don't fault them for it. That only happened back in my drinking days, I've not had it happen since getting sober ten years ago. In my experience, which is by no means universal, if someone abruptly cuts you off, it may be time to take a step back and examine your behavior and/or expectations. And if it turns out they were just a shit person, then let them ghost, good riddance.

[–] krooklochurm@lemmy.ca 1 points 1 week ago

I've always found that a solid exorcist helps a lot with ghosting. It's important to get a good one though. A bad exorcist can actually increase ghosting.

[–] HobbitFoot@thelemmy.club 1 points 1 week ago

I don't like it, but I understand.

[–] otter@lemmy.dbzer0.com 0 points 6 days ago
[–] TubularTittyFrog@lemmy.world -1 points 6 days ago* (last edited 6 days ago) (4 children)

it's being offended for the sake of being offended.

i notice the people who complain about ghosting in online dating apps... almost always do it to me.

we had 'ghosting' in the 90s and 2000s too. we just didn't use that term for it. you'd go out with someone and they'd ignore your calls or avoid you in school. the message was clear.

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