Why Does Ignoring a Girl Hurt Her Feelings?

Feeling ignored can be a hurtful experience for boys and girls alike. For a girl, it is especially difficult to tolerate being ignored when the boy who's ignoring her is someone she likes and trusts. Learn the different reasons why ignoring a girl isn't the best way to avoid her -- or get her attention. Try other ways of communicating your interests, wishes or needs so that your message is understood without hurting her feelings.

Girls take a lot of measures to get and keep the attention of the boy they are interested in or are currently dating. Putting effort into her appearance, taking the time to learn about your interests or trying to share a story with you are just a few of the ways a girl might try to get you to notice her or see her for who she really is. Repeatedly ignoring a girl who attempts to capture your attention in some way can leave her feeling inadequate, unworthy or unlovable, which can in turn lead to low self esteem.

Few things feel worse to a girl than being ignored by her love interest, especially if her boyfriend or crush is paying attention to someone else instead. She may react with jealousy if she feels you pay attention to everything except for her. While jealousy is a natural emotion, excessive, unchecked envy can sometimes lead to negative or harmful behavior.

Refusing to acknowledge someone who is addressing you, in most cases, is a disrespectful act, especially if the person you're ignoring is a friend, girlfriend or family member. By ignoring a girl, you are sending the message that you don't care about what she has to say. Even if you truly have no interest in what she is saying, doing or attempting to engage you in, there's a better -- and more respectful -- way to make that message clear.

Communication, fairness and respect are the keys to having healthy and positive interactions with others. If the girl is someone you know or have a relationship with, it's important to talk about whatever is driving you to ignore her, so that your feelings are known and so that she has a fair opportunity to change the behavior that you're attempting to avoid. If the girl is constantly calling you, for example, and you simply don't want to chat on the phone that frequently, explain to her that while you enjoy having conversations with her, you aren't really one for spending lots of time on the phone. If the girl is someone you don't know but is pestering you with her attempts to get to know you, then the fairest, most respectful thing you can do is be honest and say "I am flattered that you like me, but I am not interested." Chances are, she will read your message loud and clear and move on.