What Does “No Response Is a Response” Mean?

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What message does silence send?
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We’ve all been there: you send a message to someone, they don’t answer, and you're left wondering: why didn't they respond? They say no response is still a response, but how true is that? What does it mean when you’re honest about your feelings with someone, and you’re only met with silence? Keep reading to learn more about the meaning behind the phrase “no response is a response,” which has recently been making the rounds on social media.

“No Response is a Response” Meaning

While it depends on the context, the phrase generally means that silence is still an answer. The other person is making an active choice not to respond to you, and the silence itself is a form of communication. Reasons for their lack of reply may include disinterest and feeling offended by something you said or did.

Section 1 of 6:

Meaning Behind “No Response is a Response”

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  1. When we’re texting, social media messaging, or emailing people in our lives, such as friends, romantic interests, and co-workers, we always expect a reply. Depending on the context, seriousness, and urgency of the conversation, we may expect a reply sooner rather than later, or maybe it’s something unimportant that can wait hours or even days. However, we typically do expect a response, so when the constant communication is suddenly replaced by silence, it’s normal to ask yourself if there’s a problem. The phrase “no response is still a response” illustrates the fact that silence is still largely a response, albeit an ambiguous one at times. [1]
    • The person on the other end may choose not to respond for a variety of reasons, including disapproval of something you said, prioritizing other things, and not wanting to create a conflict by voicing their true opinions on a certain matter.
    • Still, no response is a response because they are making an active choice not to reply to you, and the silence itself does serve to communicate a response, which is ultimately up to you to interpret.
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Section 2 of 6:

Reasons Why Someone Might Not Respond

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  1. 1
    They’re offended by something you said or did. If you’ve offended this other person, their silence may be their way of letting you know that they’re upset. Not responding is a common coping mechanism for people who feel attacked, stressed, or otherwise vulnerable, but it can also cause harm. If you suspect that you’ve hurt this other person’s feelings, try reaching out one more time by saying something like, “Hi again. I realize [x] may have [upset you/hurt your feelings/etc] and I want to make it right. What can I do?” [2]
  2. 2
    They don’t want to deal with that specific subject matter. If the last conversation you had with them was about or related to a sensitive subject, their lack of reply might simply suggest that they’re done discussing that specific issue. Try reaching out with a change of topic, bringing levity back into the interaction. Try saying something like, “Hey, did you end up going to watch the new Superman movie this past weekend? How was it?” [3]
  3. 3
    They’re still processing what you said. Some people need more time than others to process conversations and their related feelings. Perhaps the subject matter was triggering for them, or required them to think seriously about something they’d never considered before. Whatever the situation, it’s best to grant them the time and space they need to fully internalize what was said and get back to you. You might give them a small vote of confidence by texting them something like, “Hey, please take all the time you need to get back to me about [x]. I know it may have been a lot for you.” [4]
    • Certain neurodivergent conditions, like autism, can affect how quickly someone processes information and their own emotions, so be sensitive when addressing issues if this is the case.
  4. 4
    They’re busy. This really depends on how long its been since you sent your last messages, as some people can take days to reply. They could also be habitually late repliers and prone to other similar behaviors, like procrastination, multitasking, and the need for personal space. If this is not the first time they’ve taken their sweet time replying, you may want to distance yourself from this person. [5]
  5. 5
    They're not interested. If you’re messaging someone on a dating app and they stop writing you back, then it could very well point to a lack of interest in pursuing the romance further. There are lots of reasons someone might lose interest and ghost a potential love connection , and it rarely has to do with the other person. They might simply be disinterested in a romantic relationship, but they could also be afraid of intimacy, or commitment, or have a general need for control, which may involve cutting things off with other people before it happens to them. [6]
  6. 6
    They’re trying to avoid conflict. This other person, whether they be a friend IRL, a social media acquaintance, or otherwise, may have an avoidant attachment style , which causes them to retreat inwardly to avoid confrontation and conflict. Maybe something you said rubbed them the wrong way, and they don’t want to have to call you out on it, or maybe they have something to say to you that they know you won’t like, and are similarly putting that off. If this ends up being the case, avoidants have these issues with everyone, so try not to beat yourself up too much. [7]
  7. 7
    They’re being deliberately disrespectful. Although this reason is fairly uncommon, it’s still a possibility in this day and age. The rise of technology and social media has affected people’s ability to empathize with others, since they can’t see or understand how their actions impact others’ lives through a screen. They may have seen your message and not replied on purpose, to leave you on edge, maintain a feeling of control, or simply dismiss your feelings. If you really think about it, having a person like this cut off communication with you could be viewed as a blessing in disguise.
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Section 3 of 6:

How to Deal If They Don’t Respond

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  1. If it’s someone you’re sure to see again in the near future, like a romantic partner or a classmate, then perhaps they’re waiting to see you in person to address it. If their silence on an important issue seems like the final blow to an already fractured relationship, then maybe it’s best to let bygones be bygones and leave them be. [8]
    • Try to avoid overthinking and spiraling about what you may have done to elicit this silent treatment.
    • Don’t jump to conclusions. Instead, take the time to process your own emotions and go from there.
Section 4 of 6:

How to Respond to No Response

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  1. 1
    Realize that their silence is telling you everything you need to know. It’s perfectly normal to feel slightly distraught, confused, or frustrated when you pour your heart out to someone and they don’t answer. However, remember— their silence is an answer, which is left up to you to fully interpret. When vulnerability is met with silence, this could be viewed as synonymous with indifference, offering a clear indicator that the other person may not value you or the relationship as much as you’d hoped. [9]
  2. 2
    Give them space. Instead of bombarding them with frantic follow-up messages, try to do the opposite: leave them alone. If they were too busy initially to answer, then they might get back to you in a few days. If they are genuinely avoiding the conversation with you altogether, then maybe they have things to work through on their own. No matter what, the situation is not likely to benefit from you spamming them. Remember— if this person wanted to, they probably would. [10]
  3. 3
    Process your feelings about the situation. Being ignored can certainly trigger people and stir up negative feelings, so please take all the time you need to do some self-inventory. Don’t jump to conclusions, like assuming the other person hates you, and instead, try jotting down your thoughts in a notebook or speaking to a friend you trust. [11]
  4. 4
    Focus on yourself. It might be easier said than done, but taking a step back from the situation and choosing to focus on your own peace and well-being can help you heal. Practice self-care by going back to a hobby you love or finding a new one, spending time with loved ones, or taking a solo trip where you can really unwind. After all, the most important relationship you’ll ever have is with yourself. [12]
  5. 5
    Decide to move forward without them. It can be extremely difficult and painful to accept that a friend, crush, or romantic partner simply wasn’t as committed to you as you were to them. Feel your feelings and then start taking steps forward without them, if they never give you closure. Unfollow them on social media, try to take a different daily commute if you often run into them, and shift your perspective toward the positive. Maybe they’ll come back, maybe they won’t— but you’ll always have you.
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Section 5 of 6:

Is no response a rejection?

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  1. No response isn’t necessarily a rejection, but it can feel like one. When you text someone and they don’t answer, it can feel like a rejection of the friendship or the relationship. However, there are a number of reasons as to why the person may not have answered yet that have nothing to do with them rejecting you. Maybe they’re actually busy with their own lives, something else has taken precedent, or they simply haven’t processed their feelings. [13]
    • In certain situations, of course, no response can be considered a rejection.
      • For example, if you shoot your shot by sending your crush a message on Instagram and they never get back to you, they likely are not interested.
Section 6 of 6:

Is no response better than a response?

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  1. This is particularly true if the other person is not responding due to a fear of being too honest and/or creating conflict. Maybe they’re afraid of upsetting you when they tell you they can’t help you move and think they’re softening the blow by not responding at all. Perhaps they know you to be very sensitive and don’t want to answer so as to not cause you any emotional distress. [14]
    • Of course, a lack of response still causes emotional distress, rendering their potentially well-intentioned approach still not quite the best move on the board.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-friendship-doctor/201401/friendship-when-no-response-is-a-response
      2. ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/silent-treatment
      3. ↑ https://www.spencergreenberg.com/2022/08/on-emotionally-reactive-traits-a-hidden-cause-of-drama-and-ruined-relationships/
      4. ↑ https://www.neurodiverging.com/emotional-processing-is-different-for-autistics/
      5. ↑ https://geediting.com/dan-people-who-read-their-texts-but-take-hours-to-reply-typically-display-these-behaviors-says-psychology/
      6. ↑ https://www.betterhelp.com/advice/dating/ghosting-the-new-dating-phenomenon/
      7. ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/avoidant-attachment-style
      8. ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/harnessing-principles-of-change/202010/the-key-skill-we-rarely-learn-how-to-feel-your-feelings
      9. ↑ https://milesolsen.com/blog/vulnerabilityrejection
      1. ↑ https://www.glamour.co.za/wellness/love-relationships/how-to-move-on-after-being-ghosted-and-resist-the-urge-to-text-21f7b4c0-2ce0-40f1-b4d4-9a578c0cac74
      2. ↑ https://www.betterhelp.com/advice/relations/what-to-do-when-he-ignores-you/
      3. ↑ https://www.snhu.edu/about-us/newsroom/health/what-is-self-care
      4. ↑ https://www.providencejournal.com/story/lifestyle/2016/12/23/dating-non-response-to-your-email-isnt-rejection/23290353007/
      5. ↑ https://www.choosingtherapy.com/texting-anxiety/

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