Dating is very different, I wouldn't pass judgment. There's a real risk of physical harm at every stage. If you're unsure give 'em one more "I'd love to hear from you." before deleting their contact info and moving on.
Also, the situations are strongly related. It's a general theme of being unable or unwilling to say no, whether in business or personal relationships. It transfers the ambiguity of the situation to the asker: are they saying no? Did they lose their phone? Did the e-mail go to spam? Did the investor's mom die? Am I being too persistent by following up? This must be balanced against feeling entitled to a response, though, because nobody owes you anything. It's a fine line.
My personality type strongly prefers closure, and open issues like this nag me incessantly through no control of my own. I literally lose sleep over California No, trying to think of the explanation, whether business or personal. I cannot control that despite much effort. Was it something I said? Then I replay the entire conversation in my head. Then it's 4AM. The next generation is already learning that it's normal, and those of us who like (nay, need) "no" are now the diminishing minority.
In my experience, someone who can't say no is not being polite; they are being quite rude. Stringing people along is rude. It is far more polite to outright tell someone that you are not interested and then everyone can move along. Even for dating, I can't speak for other people, but a simple "not interested" is more polite than being ambiguous. There is no "growing number" of folks who react violently because violent reactions, in general, have decreased over time -- and if anything, a clear "no" is likely better than being unclear. In my experience someone would be more angry at being misled over a period of time.
I think a good approach is to recognise the different styles and, where appropriate, to help your counterparty to do so too.
This is vastly-overinflated risk, and honestly part of the mess we're in is due to people treating suitors as potential rapists or axe murderers.
> If you're unsure give 'em one more "I'd love to hear from you." before deleting their contact info and moving on.
This sort of brush-off means that a) you're going to be surprised when they show up again and b) they're definitely going to be more annoyed when they find out you ghosted them.
If you don't treat others with respect, it makes things worse for everyone.
I don't think it is. I don't know a single attractive woman who hasn't been physically abused by at least one of their exes.
Being careful who you socialize with is smart no matter what.
> This sort of brush-off means that
I wouldn't call it a brush off, it's an invitation to respond (or not) without further pressure or expectations.
> a) you're going to be surprised when they show up again
Yes! Delightfully surprised!
> b) they're definitely going to be more annoyed when they find out you ghosted them.
I've never had a bad experience with it. Most people who do decided to get back to you after an extended absence have a pretty good sense of humor about the situation. Ghosted is the last thing I'd feel if someone's last message to me was "I'd love to hear from you!"