Ghosting isn't a new thing in dating. It has been done by plenty of people who are too afraid to break-up with their partners properly, so they simply disappear.
The act was first defined by Urban Dictionary as a "fadeaway" in 2008. But the definition was expounded in 2013 to refer to "ghosting" as: "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. Ghosting is not specific to a certain gender and is closely related to the subject's maturity and communication skills. Many attempt to justify ghosting as a way to cease dating the ghostee without hurting their feelings, but it in fact proves the subject is thinking more of themselves, as ghosting often creates more confusion for the ghostee than if the subject kindly stated how he/she feels."
Avoidance ranks as the number one worst way to end a relationship, according to the Science of Relationships and it's no argument that being "ghosted" is terrible.
However, a survey by Elle Magazine has revealed that 26 percent of women and 33 percent of men have been at both ends (been the ghost or the "ghostee"), while 24 percent of women and 17 percent of men have admitted to ghosting.
In the age of social media and texting, more and more folks are likely to fall victims to this. So, how can you tell if someone is about to pull one over you and slowly fade away? Here are some hints:
1. The lack of communication. Not only do they take time to respond to your messages (on text or your social media profiles), they also don't seem to initiate this. If they do respond, it may have taken them a day and a half to get back to you and quite often their replies are short, too.
2. They spend less and less time with you when you're together. Something always comes up so you would have to end your dates earlier. Sometimes, they clue you in ahead about having to be at "some place urgent" or they meet up with someone nearly the same time you're on a date. In other words, they've got other plans, and it's usually not with you.
3. Worse than cutting date shorts, they cancel dates altogether and then make up excuses about being stressed, sick, busy at work or occupied with saving the world.
4. They don't seem to be running out of excuses to not see you.
5. If you do get together after days of waiting to be on a date, they will choose a place where there are fewer people. It's like they don't want to be seen with you in public. Or worse, they prefer to stay indoors at your place. Don't mistake those cuddle times as private times. Get a clue!
