We've all been eSnubbed. It starts with an unanswered IM, e-mail or even twitter. Maybe you asked a direct question or you were in the midst of general conversation, when suddenly replies cease. In the world of technology, it's easy to assume that a mishap occurred. But after a follow up IM, e-mail or tweet, you discover that you are still going unanswered.
That's when you realize you've been eSnubbed.
With the popularity of technological communication, the eSnub is a growing problem. It is beyond easy to ignore a growing in-box full of virtual messages. When your eyes start to glaze over at the list, you may just forget the actual people behind each message who need your attention.
As it is, there are several assumptions one can make about the eSnub. Maybe the person is and was busy; maybe they're not organized enough to reply to the question; or maybe, just maybe, you were eSnubbed on purpose.
The eSnub is like the latest technological party foul. Sure it's easy to blow someone off due to disorganization or lack of time, but won't you still be dogged by guilt ... and follow-up messages? Or do you enjoy the one-click approach to weeding out the extras in your life? Do you over-analyze unreturned e-mails for signs of rejection, or do you figure it's the byproduct of a busy life?
Of course, there is one crazy thing you can do if you truly want to talk to the person: Pick up the phone.
Tell us: What do you do when you've been eSnubbed? Have you ever purposely used the tactic yourself?
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Sunday 19 October
By LovingDanger
I'm constantly paranoid of the eSnub but at the same time I'm sooo bad at it! It's kind of ironic that you wrote about being eSnubbed and no one has commented... damn lemondrop and it's horrible comment format!
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Monday 20 October
By CHRISTY
UMM IM SAD TO SAY BUT I DO E-SNUB ALOT. I FIND THE BEST WAY TO BE NICE TO PPL WITHOUT HURTING THEIR FEELINGS IS TO JUST IGNORE THEM AND HOPE THEY FIND SOMEONE ELSE TO TALK TO IN THE MEAN TIME. I DONT SNUB PPL WITHOUT A GOOD CAUSE THOUGH. LIKE MY COUSINS HUSBAND WHO KEEPS EMAILING ME ASKING ME PERSONAL QUESTIONS ABOUT MYSELF OR MAKING UNCALLED FOR COMMENTS ABOUT MY LOOKS WHEN HE IS MARRIED TO MY COUSIN. TO KEEP FROM GETTING HER INVOLVED AND MAKING HER MAD AT ME, I JUST IGNORE HIM!! ALOT!!! OTHER GUYS THAT TRY THAT SLY CRAP OF TRYING TO GET ME TO INGAGE IN SOME KIND OF WEIRD SEX TALKING EMAIL, I ALSO SNUB AND BLOCK EM FROM MY EMAIL SO THEY GET THE IDEA LOUD AND CLEAR!
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Sunday 02 November
By A Whole Lot of Nothing
I'd never eSnub you, my friend.
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Monday 03 November
By Backpacking Dad
I just wrote a post about the other side of this: when people expect you to participate at a level you can't maintain anymore.
Sort of. Mostly it was just me saying "I can't do it right now. Sorry?"
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Monday 03 November
By Amanda Hill
No, I understand the too much part of it. Too much to respond too, so little time, etc. I live in that situation. However, I'm mainly talking about the on purpose eSnub. The bitchy kind. The sort that makes you think the person is under the impression that they are still in high school and snubbing people is appropriate.
Monday 03 November
By ash @ goneparenting
I don't think I'd take offense to the e-snub but I can't recall anytime it's happened to me. I'm sure it has and I blew it off.
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Thursday 13 November
By Wineplz
After being on the receiving end of an eSnub or two, I've realized that some people are just looking for an easy out from an eFriendship (such as it might be). I originally agonized for a while, trying to figure out how to make it better, how to fix it, what to say...but after I tried reconnecting once or twice and was still ignored, I decided to move on with my life. It sucks because while you wanted to talk face-to-face or over the phone to iron things out, sometimes the other person isn't willing or refuses to break that level of anonymity that they have by hiding behind their computer.
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