What are your guys opinion of this? I am not talking a cooling down period but actual ignoring for hours/days.

Personally I not only find this childish but destructive to a relationship. They say communication is key to a relationship is this is basically the opposite. Psychologists even claim the silent treatment as a form of emotional abuse and rank it up there almost as high as physical abuse when it comes to destroying relationships.

What are your opinions on it? Are you the offender or offended? What is its impact on relationships?

It is a childish tactic learned early,
from parents, I think.
Highly destructive.

Yet, not to be confused with a walk-away
calming period.

Other than that, it is punishment.

Not uncommon but also not right. Break it with humor. Wear a clown nose and demand that she talk to you!

Tell her, "I'm not clowning around here!"

I HATE the silent treatment. It's mean. Like cruel and unusual punishment. I also get the "cooling off period". When an argument gets heated it is usually best to step back briefly and then come back to it when tempers are lower. But, the silent treatment....it's just wrong.

It's dysfunctional, IMO.

(((((((((((((WINX)))))))))))))))))

Where ya been? I missed you!!!

Too me it says a lot about the character of the person that does it, and its not good.

How long is the relationship? What type of relationship? hard to give any advice with little information.

Yeah, it really doesn't help anything and only frustrates both partners.

I find it helpful sometimes when most men just like to fight with us and have the last word/be right. In only some cases, depends on the situation. I would hate it done to me but I myself try to avoid situations where a verbal fight may arise. Usually I can sense them. Its terrible when they do happen.

Only once in a blue moon, if its real and its mutual, the guy may come to you nicely and apologize for his behavior. But who does that now?

I never believed in it as anything that would ever help a relationship. I do believe communication is the key, and shutting down communication only makes things worse.

Having said that, I do think there's a time to be quiet, and cool off -- with the understanding that there will be a resumption in the communications process when both parties are ready for it.

My own personal philosophy has been that I'm always ready to listen. Let the other person say what they have to say, and consider it with an open mind, trying to see where their perspective originates.

Silence (on either side) certainly won't help with that....

In the context of any relationship, husband/wife, parent/child, employer/employee, the silent treatment is a type of emotional abuse plain and simple....If it continues over time, it can not only destroy the relationship, it can cause psychological problems for the victim...The silent treatment is a dangerous form of control and should not be tolerated.

It is for sure a very hateful thing to do to someone .The problem is I doubt very much if the person doing it realizes that and they think they are more than justified in doing so.

In some relationships one or other of the partners may be in denial and refuse to address their problems then there will be many periods of silent treatment.

I am talking about with a significant other or maybe even a close friend. I just want peoples opinions on it in general.

Big problem. Don't like it used on me, and if it's a common thing will walk away. Like others said, a cooling off period is one thing, and probably good. I know guys especially who use it as a way to not throw a punch in anger.

I know when I need to cool off, I write my anger out. Then I put the letter away and come back to it. If it's still valid I will talk about it, if not I burn the paper, and things are back to normal. But I've never gone more then an hour purposely not talking to someone as a silent treatment thing.

Run as far away as possible from the instigator of the silent treatment.

It’s extremely childish and immature. If the person isn’t mature enough to talk through issues without resorting to mind games, then they’re not someone I would want in my life. Simple as!

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The silent treatment is extremely childish for the most part. Those who use it are not able to rationally discuss what's going on, or be honest and upfront about why they're mad.

a woman that wont talk... hhhmmmmm what is the problem.... jk all