Agreed. Ghosting doesn't neccesarily have to mean broken relationships. It basically means being reclusive and withdrawing from society. When you ghost, you basically cut contact with everything and everybody. No family, no friends and yet no enemies. Take Richard Simmons for example. He stopped showing up to teach his fitness classes at his fitness studio nearly five years ago. People got worried and tried to reach him via email or phone. Not once did he return any of their phone calls or emails. Richard Simmons ghosted the world and now lives like a hermit. I highly doubt he'll ever return to the spotlight in his lifetime.

You boundary jumping narcissistic douchebag

Ever. And never contacting the person (friend/acquaintance/lover) who left it, ever again, leaving them confused and twisting in the wind.

It's what shitty people who haven't developed adult communication skills do when they want to break a connection to someone.

I'm not sure, but there does need to be a term for the feelings that exist with many unanswered questions about a relationship. How did they really feel about me? Why were they so f*cked up? Who are they really? How did I misjudge so badly? What does it say about me? Why was she wearing an old bridal dress, and wtf was that nasty gel-like liquid in her hair? Did she literally just bl*w someone before meeting with me? Am I trying to date Marla Singer? Is my life Fight Club? Am I Tyler Durden?

not getting a face - to face breakup sucks but that's not ghosting.

Miscommunication, assumptions, expectations of someone, idealizing, hoping they know how to treat you by default (because it's hard to have the autonomy of saying how you want to be treated), hoping the other knows what's good for you, what's bad for you, and so forth. In the age of mass media, lightning fast communication, It's no surprise we're all more hurt by these kinds of errors in communication. Live on, don't make trophies out of your pain. If you can fix communication with someone, do it, and if you're not strong enough, let them go, maybe you'll understand each other better when you're in different parts of your lives. Just waiting for things to get better, nursing your ghostly wounds may feel good right now, but honestly, it's kinda like self-flaggelation. Waiting around is a hell of it's own you shouldn't wish on anyone, especially not yourself. <3

You say that it's hard to say how you want to be treated - ?
Really? Why is that hard for you?
It's just basic assertiveness. Maybe that's where the problem is.

Yes they have the correct definition.
When someone just goes dark, AWOL, MIA, whatever.

I've been struggling with this phenomenon in various aspects of relationships with strangers over the past 5 years or so. Certainly a common (sorry, trigger warning) millennial thing common in people under 35 but older people do it that should know better.

It stings and its confusing and I've wondered myself why someone would treat another person like that. (of course the ones that did it never said why, thats part of the problem). AFter asking around and reading this board. he consensus is that the person really wants to avoid blowback or drama so they figure that not communicating/talking at all with keep them clear of any more emotional upset. (that, or they dont give a fuck and treating you as something disposable)

I know the time that I did it to someone close, I had given them ample warning that I "didnt want to talk about it". They persisted and persisted in trying to call me out on something that I knew the answer would be hurtful to them if I told the truth so I just ignored them. Once bitten twice shy. Still think about it though.

That's a sweet description. I know the times I've done it, and I know it may sound counterproductive, but I didn't wish the person more drama in their lives, so I ghosted. Like I just thought they didn't need more shit at the moment. And having gotten the ghosting, yeah It's pretty bad in any form. But I'm basically awful at being shady and not talking though, so my brand of toxicity tends to be an awfully potent mix of doing something shitty while apologizing for it, pointing out my own bullshit, and basically begging endlessly for tangible communication. I think I just really need more self-control.