O.K., first let’s look at the formal definition of “ignore:”
ig?nore (?g-n?r’, -n?r’)
To refuse to pay attention to; disregard.
With the above in mind, if someone doesn’t respond to your email, yes, you are being ignored — they are disregarding your communication. It is sadly that simple.
Week in and week out I get concerned emails from site visitors about why they are not receiving responses to their emails. They are being ignored. They don’t like it. They think it is rude — and they are right.
The other side of the coin says “I’m too busy…”, “I don’t have enough time…” or even “Yes, I choose to ignore some people and don’t care if they like it or not!”
Why would any one of us want to be concerned about a person that is too busy for us, doesn’t have enough time for us or doesn’t care if we like being ignored or not? The answer to that is don’t be concerned with people who treat you in this manner.
We live in an “all about me” culture. Common courtesies that make one have to take time to consider how their actions (or lack thereof) may affect someone else have gone right out the door off-line. Why should online be any different!?
So to those who don’t like being ignored, move on and communicate only with those who have the time and courtesy for your communications.
For those who ignore, know that by not taking the time to show some courtesy to those who email you will reflect your priorities. And don’t be surprised if those you ignore decide to return the favor.