A survey conducted by Bonus.ca of 2,000 Canadian residents revealed that one-third of people have ghosted their date before. The results of the survey also suggest that people have become desensitized to the effects of ghosting, with one in eight respondents saying they feel no guilt whatsoever about cutting off contact in this manner.
So, it seems that ghosting a date is on the rise in Canada, but where do you need to be on your guard the most?
The Provinces Where You’re Most Likely to Get Ghosted
Newfoundland and Labrador tops the list as the province with the highest percentage of residents likely to ghost a romantic partner, at 44.4%. Within the region, also named one of the most haunted provinces in Canada, over half (46.2%) of men surveyed said they’ve ghosted someone before, while 42.9% of women answered the same.
Another Atlantic province, New Brunswick, landed in second place with nearly 41% of residents confessing they had ghosted a date. While just under two-thirds of these did it without even meeting their date, a shocking 11.8% had already been on five to 10 dates before they ghosted them.
Ontario and Quebec have similar ghosting rates, at 34.4% and 32.6%, respectively. Still, one in three residents of Canada’s two most populous provinces have dropped a date by suddenly refusing further communication. Alberta rounds out the top five list, with nearly 31% of residents admitting to ghosting a (potential) romantic partner.
Why Do People Ghost Their Dates?
Relationship expert Castillo Adams explains why some people find it easy to disappear without explanation and which psychological factors drive this behaviour:
“The most common case I’ve seen in ghosters is exhaustion about having to give a reason, where they’d rather just vanish. This difficulty in communication can be a result of social childhood trauma.
“A busy lifestyle, a new social environment, or simply a different life dynamic can make a person withdraw from another. And in the case of individuals with communication issues, it often results in ghosting.”
Castillo also commented on coping mechanisms for those affected by ghosting:
“It is easier said than done, but it’s best to not take it personally because it isn’t. It has nothing to do with you. It has to do with the ghoster’s ability to communicate, behave, and regulate their emotions*.
“Take this silence as an answer. Thinking of the situation this way can greatly help you shift your perspective on this matter. Whether they’re busy or uninterested, they’re not being forward. This is why their silence has to tell you something: move forward without considering this person’s presence in your life.
“Make yourself understand and learn that you won’t be ghosted by the next person just because this person ghosted you. Fear of the outcome in other connections is very common for the ‘ghostees’. However, not taking it personally and moving forward regardless of this person’s response will help you understand that their behaviour is a reflection of them and not of you or what you represent as a person.”
*These are very vast concepts. However, they play a major role in explaining particular behaviours when analyzing the details in the process.
Methodology
Bonus.ca surveyed 2,000 Canadian residents to find out more about ghosting habits within the country. The survey was carried out on 02/10/2023.
