From Psychologies · Laurena Valette · · 1m 30s
Giving your number with no intention of replying
Half of singles have handed over a phone number they never planned to use, and the habit finally has a name.
In brief
Half of singles have handed over a phone number they never planned to use, and the habit finally has a name. A clear no in the moment is kinder than a number that goes silent for days. Originally reported by Psychologies.
The number that goes nowhere
You swap numbers at a party, feel good about the chat, then let the first message sit unanswered. And the second. Most of us have been on one side of this.
It has a name now
This is dial-toning, not ghosting. Ghosting comes after a relationship or at least a few exchanges. Dial-toning kills the thing before it starts.
Nearly half admit it
Hint App surveyed 5,847 people who had dated in the past year. 46% said they had given out their contact details knowing they would probably never follow up.
Saying no is the hard part
Relationship coach Julie Nguyen told Vice that people do this because they cannot set a limit out loud. Handing over a number feels easier than refusing face to face.
Most of it is premeditated
57% said postponing rejection beats voicing it, 41% feared an awkward confrontation, and 63% said the decision was made before they even typed the digits.
Two people, two different nights
One walks away expecting a conversation, the other already knows the answer. 52% of singles say they would rather get a straight no than a polite number and silence.
“52 % des participants déclarent qu'ils préféreraient recevoir un refus clair”
What matters most
A clear no in the moment is kinder than a number that goes silent for days.
