Latest news with #ghosting
Daily Mail
6 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
Aussie business owner calls out 'influencer' for ghosting her after taking $600 worth of items in exchange for social media posts
An Australian small business owner has called out an influencer for ghosting her after accepting $600 worth of gifted clothes in exchange for social media posts. The Sydney founder of clothing brand Don't Tell Ma said she was excited when the content creator first reached out to collaborate on her new label. She claimed the influencer had promised to create multiple videos, stories, and reels across her platforms in return for the freebies. Having just launched her new business, the owner knew that exposure on social media could help her brand take off. 'I was new to social media and excited that she could do all this stuff for me just as a gifted collab so that was fun,' she explained. Thrilled by the opportunity, the owner sent over $600 worth of stock. 'I packed and shipped it out, and she told me when she had received it. She posted one story of the package... and then - nothing,' she said. Multiple messages followed, but the influencer never replied. To add insult to injury, the owner later spotted the influencer wearing her fashion label in a paid partnership for a completely different brand - a jewellery company. 'It's weird because I know (the influencer's) mum - she's a customer at our (family's) restaurant so that's pretty awkward,' the owner explained. 'My husband has been asking me if I want him to say anything, but I said no because I'm too shy.' By speaking out about her experience, the business owner - who's currently running a pop-up shop inside a shopping mall in Sydney - hopes to stop influencers from taking advantage of small businesses. 'Please stop because it takes a lot of hard work and energy to put into a small business,' she said. The owner remained tight-lipped about the influencer's identity - but it's understood the content creator has since removed all traces of her social media accounts. However, it didn't take long before some business owners came forward, claiming the same influencer had also promised to post content in exchange for freebies - but disappeared after receiving the parcels. 'Unfortunately our business experienced the same thing with her. We agreed on a collab for her wedding. I set up for her and have been ignored since. No reposts, tag or reply - nor any payment. She's done this with multiple vendors. So sad to take advantage of small businesses like this,' one shared. 'Same thing happened to us, she never reposted our content and we were there all day, and she even unfollowed us. Such a shame honestly,' another revealed. 'This happened to me. I sent out a package worth $120 and she just stopped replying - still no contact,' one claimed. 'Happened to me too, I'm very disappointed,' another added. Some people argued that small brands should stop giving out freebies entirely. 'I'm sorry but businesses should not be giving products/services to influencers for free,' one suggested. 'Maybe a discount, yes - but not for free. Do returning customers ever get free products? No. And they're the ones actually supporting you.' Meanwhile, one suggested: 'You should've sent her an invoice since she didn't fulfil her end.' The overwhelming support has comforted the Don't Tell Ma founder - but she's far from the only one learning the hard way. As more stories emerge from small businesses left unpaid, untagged, and ghosted, the post is sparking a broader conversation about accountability in influencer marketing - and the real cost of 'free' collaborations.
The Guardian
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
What's worse than being ghosted? Dating a ‘submariner'
Name: Submarining. Age: The first contraption that could really be called a submarine was built by a Dutchman, Cornelis Drebbel, in 1620 for King James I, and tested on the Thames. So submarining began in the early 17th century? The old meaning of submarining did. There's a new meaning of submarining? Hello? Is this past notes? No! It's pass notes. Up to the minute, on trend, breaking news. Of course there's a new meaning. Is it to do with Keir Starmer's warfare state and the nuclear deterrent? Nope. Is it about dating? It's usually about dating. It's about dating. Toxic dating. But it's not floodlighting? I remember that one – the oversharing of personal trauma in order to speed up intimacy. Correct. Nor is it throning … Dating on the loo? Dating someone for their social status. Ew. Go on then, what is this new submarining about? You know when you're dating someone and they suddenly disappear, without telling you why? Er, hello? Old news! I know that one, everyone does – that's ghosting! Wait, there's more. With submarining, they come back again after a period of time and act as if nothing happened. According to Vice, it may actually be worse than ghosting. I see: they resurface. And why do they do that? Not for air, I'm guessing. Often out of insecurity and boredom, Gigi Engle, a sex coach and author, told Men's Health when the term emerged. Still, it's nice that they returned. It's all back on! Hmm, maybe not. 'It's pretty unlikely that it's because this person actually cares about you,' said Engle. 'It's more likely that they want someone to talk to and make them feel good about themselves.' Sounds like submariners should be avoided. Indeed. They 'often crave intimacy but are terrified of the vulnerability it requires', Wendy Walsh, a psychology professor, told PureWow. 'A submariner wants to put somebody on the back burner so they can reach out to them later when they feel lonely.' Nobody puts baby on the back burner! And thanks for the warning – that's now a big red flag. Or, you might say, a nuclear deterrent. You might. So what is the best way to deal with submariners? Back to Engle, who says: 'If someone is actually into you, they don't disappear out of nowhere.' Got it. Ghost the submariners? Correct. Apart from Sean Connery in The Hunt for Red October. Do say: 'Yeah, long time no speak … Tonight? No, sorry, I'm busy … for ever.' Don't say: 'Periscope up.'
Forbes
29-05-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Tired Of Getting Ghosted By Companies? Pay Attention To These Red Flags.
Here's why you keep getting ghosted even when you're qualified for the role. You were this close. You were already preparing your resignation letter in your head. You saw their smiles during the job interview and were sure you blew them away. You even sent the perfect follow-up message, thanks to ChatGPT. And, nothing. No update. No rejection. Just silence. After spending hours tweaking your resume and prepping for interviews, it's frustrating when your effort is met with silence. The unfortunate truth is that ghosting has become far too common in today's job market. But, some companies are more likely to give you the silent treatment than others, and knowing how to spot the red flags early can save you unnecessary misery and stress. Here are a few subtle signs to watch for before and during the interview process so you can avoid wasting time on the wrong opportunities for you. While it might be tempting to apply for a role that reads like a great fit, the job description isn't the only thing you should pay attention to before you apply. You should also consider when the role was posted. Long-standing or recycled job postings can indicate indecision, slow internal processes, or a lack of urgency to hire. In some cases, it could also mean they're keeping the role open until the "perfect unicorn" shows up, which might reveal that the company is unclear on what they need or unrealistic about who they need to solve their challenges. This can set the bar high for even the most qualified candidates. Even if you choose to apply anyway, proceed with caution. You could go through the entire hiring process only to realize they were just getting to know you, not planning to hire you or anyone for that matter. If you're excited by the idea of joining a startup or building something new from the ground up, it's important to understand what you're walking into before you apply. Whether it's an early-stage company or a brand-new team within a larger organization, if they lack infrastructure or have a lean team, their hiring process could be informal, inconsistent, or fast-moving. And more importantly, it could mean their priorities, budgets, and timelines can change overnight. This is how you could walk away from an interview feeling confident, with detailed insights about their initiatives, only to hear nothing afterward. Not to mention, sometimes, things can move so quickly that a company can choose to go with another candidate and forget to follow up, even if they never intended to leave you hanging. It doesn't mean you shouldn't pursue these opportunities, but be aware that if the company or team is fairly new, lacks systems or stability—or if the team is stretched thin, communication can easily fall through the cracks. If the job description is broad, vague, or reads like a mix of three different roles, this is a subtle red flag that you might be in for an emotional rollercoaster. Vague job descriptions signal that the company hasn't taken the time to determine what they specifically need from their next hire. It could also mean they're trying to merge multiple roles into one, which can make the hiring process taxing and difficult for both the company and the candidates. That's why it's worth reading job descriptions carefully before hitting submit on your application. If the job description feels confusing or overwhelming, the hiring process might be too, and ghosting becomes more likely when companies aren't crystal clear on what they're looking for in the role. Compliments are nice in interviews, but they aren't reliable indicators that you're going to be hired for the role, or that you'll even hear from them again. There are other things to pay attention to besides their smiles and praise. For instance, can they thoroughly answer questions about what success looks like in the role, who you'll report to, and what challenges the team is currently facing? Do they say things like, 'We'll be in touch,' without offering clear next steps? Have interviews been rescheduled, canceled, or tacked on at the last minute? These are often signs that the company is unorganized, unclear on its hiring process, or not fully aligned internally. And, unfortunately, the more chaotic the interview process is, the more comfortable they may be disappearing without a word. The reality is, you can be completely qualified for a role and still not hear back from a company. There are so many factors that go into hiring a candidate, and sometimes, they have nothing to do with you. Even the best companies sometimes need more time than originally anticipated to share updates or move the process forward. Patience is key in today's job market, but you can safeguard your time and energy by spotting these red flags sooner. Vet companies just as thoroughly as they vet you. It's one of the smartest ways to land the right opportunity for you. Adunola Adeshola coaches high-achievers on how to take their careers to the next level and secure new jobs they love without applying 24/7, starting over or settling for less. Grab her guide on how to land job offers.
Daily Mail
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE 'I cancelled lunch and we never spoke again': Extraordinary reasons why so many 40-plus women are breaking up with their best friends - and yes, it CAN be worse than divorce
When Louanne Ward's childhood friend of 30 years ghosted her, she had no idea why. The pair had been close since they were 14. They had travelled together, worked together and Hannah* had been maid of honour at Louanne's wedding.
The Independent
23-05-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Study reveals psychological impact of ghosting and gaslighting
Being ghosted or gaslit may trigger depression and paranoia among young people, a study has revealed. Ghosting is the act of cutting off all contact, while gaslighting is a term used when someone is made to question their perception of reality. The psychological effects and mental health toll of these actions in romantic relationships have now been studied by researchers at the University of Brighton and the University of Coimbra in Portugal. Researchers surveyed 544 adults aged 18 to 40 in the UK, to explore how these subtle but damaging behaviours - such as suddenly cutting off all contact, manipulating someone to question their own reality, or attempting to control a partner's routine - are connected to mental health issues like depression and paranoid thinking. 'The digital age has provided enormous opportunity for social connections but also comes with some risks. Ghosting, in particular, is almost exclusively enacted in online settings,' Professor Rusi Jaspal, co-author and Pro-Vice-Chancellor at the University of Brighton, said. 'As the use of social media and dating apps grows, so too does the risk of encountering harmful behaviours like ghosting, which our research links to poorer mental health outcomes.' The survey revealed there are clear links between these behaviours and poor mental health. Researchers found ghosting and coercive control were both linked to increased feelings of paranoia. Similarly, gaslighting was linked to symptoms of depression. Study authors accounted for people's age, income and personality traits like how sensitive they are to rejection and uncertainty - two traits researchers explain are also associated with poor mental health. Younger people and those with lower incomes were particularly at risk of experiencing poor mental health as a result of gaslighting or ghosting. Researchers suggested this added to the growing concern that dating app culture may be contributing to a mental health crisis. The study highlights how romantic relationships, even those that do not involve physical violence, can still affect mental wellbeing. Study authors concluded there is a need for effective psychological interventions that support victims of abusive relationship behaviours to cope with the 'distress' associated with gaslighting and ghosting. They hope that this could 'prevent the onset of depression and paranoid ideation'. Researchers suggested cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) could help individuals manage the distress associated with experiences like ghosting or gaslighting, by building resilience, self-esteem and coping strategies.
