So 'ghosting' is officially a thing. For those of you yet to experience the latest fad in relationship-ending, allow us to illuminate you.
Ghosting is when your partner 'disappears you' from his or her life with no official break up or explanation.
We've all been there — and by 'there' I mean dating someone or even just having daily communication with someone when it then just…stops.
And so the daily stalking of your ex's Facebook profile is now restricted (due to un-friending), the likes on your Instagram have come to an abrupt halt, and the only person now favouriting your Tweets still has an egg as their profile picture.
Oh, and forget about any kind of response to your calls or texts. For all intents and purposes the person you knew so well has disappeared without any rhyme or reason. In a generation where we are obsessed with communication, is ghosting not just the ultimate cruel ending?
A recent Huffington Post poll in the States revealed that 11% of adults had 'ghosted' someone over the course of their lifetime. If you consider the current population of America is 318.9 million, that is a pretty big disappearing act. Not to mention a massive mind job.
The torturing questions are traumatising enough alone: 'Is he away on business?' 'Maybe she just lost her phone?' 'Has something terrible happened?!'
We're not asking for a Jane Austen style letter with the usual, 'It's not you, it's me.' But surely a quick, 'Hey, I'm just not into this anymore!' is the least we can do for each other?
