There’s an even more hurtful version of ghosting, and it’s probably happened to you

There’s nothing worse than being ghosted by a potential partner — that is, having someone totally stop responding to you and seemingly vanish into thin air. But unfortunately, according to dating site Plenty of Fish, there’s actually a more hurtful version of ghosting, and it literally involves the ghost in question packing up and leaving town.

According to statistics collected by the site, singles acquire some very interesting romance-related habits when they go on vacation. In fact, 70 percent of singles (both men and women) are more open to meeting people while traveling than when at home, and 22 percent have fallen in love while away.

But the site also found that 23 percent of men and 16 percent of women have used a planned vacation to ghost someone they’ve been seeing at home. Boo!

If the “Hey, I’m going to be out of town for a while so don’t bother texting me” line paired with a disappearing act sounds familiar, there’s a chance you’ve been travel-ghosted, or what we’re calling “spirited-away.”

All catchy terms aside, having someone cut communication and leave can be extremely detrimental to your mental health. Not only do you know they’re having fun while you’ve been left in the lurch, but it can prove difficult to get over a relationship (even a pre-lationship) without any closure.

If you’ve perpetrated a spirited-away situation, then listen up. It’s always better to clearly end things if you’re not feeling it, whether a future vacation is involved or not. Hanging someone out to dry is always more hurtful than calling a relationship off.

See also: caspering — a form of ghosting that lets someone down easy and leaves you both free to go your separate ways. This type of ghosting still stings, but it’s so much healthier for both parties involved.

Remember, no one likes a ghost haunting their life. Before you pack your bags and leave, lighten your load and call off any relationship you’re not interested in pursuing. This will ensure you’re not leaving someone else waiting to pick things back up when you return.