Psychology Behind Hanging up on Someone (Disrespect)

Psychology Behind Hanging up on Someone (Disrespect)

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The psychology of why someone would hang up the phone on you is really fascinating in this post we figure out why a person would do this and how it makes them feel to be on the other end.

Hanging up on someone can be a sign of disrespect and is often seen as rude and impolite. From a psychological perspective, hanging up on someone may be an attempt to gain control or avoid feeling vulnerable or helpless. 

It is also possible that the person may feel overwhelmed and unable to respond appropriately,  I have many times hung up on someone when they have made me angry or I didn’t want to hear what they had to say anymore. Think about the last time you hung up on someone or had someone end a call on you and ask yourself the question why this happened?

Next up we will take a look at 6 reasons why someone would hand up on you.

6 Reasons Why You Would Hang Up On Someone.

  1. The feeling of abandonment or rejection. 
  2. Fear of facing an uncomfortable conversation. 
  3. Lack of control of the conversation.
  4. Inability to control emotions or frustration.
  5. Avoidance of conflict or confrontation.
  6. The feeling of being overwhelmed by the situation.

The feeling of abandonment or rejection. 

The feeling of abandonment or rejection can be overwhelming. It’s a feeling that lingers in our minds and hearts, evoking a deep sense of sadness and insecurity.

Whether it’s from a romantic relationship, family member, or friend, being rejected or abandoned can be an incredibly painful experience. Hanging up on someone is an extreme form of rejection.

It sends a clear message that the other person doesn’t even want to hear what you have to say and leaves you with a heavy heart of unresolved issues. This type of rejection can be especially damaging because it demonstrates such blatant disregard for your feelings and opinions.

No matter how hard it may be, try your best to find closure and surround yourself with people who value your thoughts and presence in their life.


Fear of facing an uncomfortable conversation. 

The fear of facing an uncomfortable conversation is a common feeling. It can make us feel anxious and overwhelmed, and even cause us to hang up on someone without listening to what they have to say.

This can be especially true when we are trying to confront someone about something that has hurt us or make them aware of their behavior. Sometimes this is the best action you can take.  We have all been there and it’s hard to talk to people about difficult situations.  In my experience, it’s best to give it a few weeks and let heated feelings settle down unless they are toxic people.


Lack of control of the conversation.

Hanging up on someone often happens when two people are arguing or disagreeing about something, and one person is trying to dominate the conversation.  If you feel like the person on the other end isn’t listening then end the call, yes it’s rude to hang up but it will drive your point across.


Inability to control emotions or frustration.

Some people will hang up because they are unable to control their emotions or frustrations.  They will do this in the heat of the moment because they are unable to get their words out or feel like they will receive verbal abuse in the worst way.

If this happens to you remind yourself that although it might seem hard right now, this isn’t going to last forever and that you will eventually regain control of your emotions if you are patient and practice self-care.


Avoidance of conflict or confrontation.

Avoiding conflict or confrontation can be a tricky situation to navigate, and it’s often not the best choice in the long run. One way to handle an argument without causing too much tension is to simply hang up on someone.

This can be an effective way of putting an end to a conversation that is going nowhere or has become too heated. However, it should be a last resort and used with caution as it could potentially worsen the situation if done impulsively.

It is important to take deep breaths and stay calm before making any decisions so that you don’t regret your actions later on. If the other person tries to call back, politely explain why you ended the conversation and suggest talking again when both parties are in a better state of mind. Remember that expressing yourself honestly while also showing respect towards others will help resolve conflicts more effectively than avoidance ever could.


The feeling of being overwhelmed by the situation.

The feeling of being overwhelmed by a situation can be absolutely crippling. It can leave you feeling helpless, exhausted, and sometimes even embarrassed. When it happens during a phone call, it’s usually due to an unpleasant conversation or something that you don’t want to talk about.

You may feel like you have no choice but to hang up before things get any worse and the conversation spirals out of control. If that is the case then it’s okay to be the person who hangs up and ends the call.

Next up we will take a look at some of the most frequently asked questions.

Frequently Asked Questions.

What to do when someone hangs up on you

 The most important thing to do is take a few deep breaths and count to 10 before responding. This will give you time to think through the situation calmly and determine the best course of action. 

You could send an email or text message and wait for a response. If the person doesn’t respond, it’s best not to pursue them any further- respect their decision and move on. You may even decide that the relationship isn’t worth salvaging and find healthier relationships elsewhere.

Why is hanging up on someone rude?

Hanging up on someone is rude because it abruptly ends the conversation, leaving the other person feeling disrespected and dismissed. It is a sign of disrespect to end the conversation without giving the other person an opportunity to respond or to provide closure.

Hanging up on someone can also be interpreted as a sign that you do not value their opinions or feelings, which can leave them feeling devalued and hurt. Furthermore, it conveys a lack of consideration for the other person’s time and feelings, suggesting that your concerns are more important than theirs.

This type of behavior often creates tension in relationships as people feel like their needs are not being considered or respected.

how disrespectful is hanging up on someone

Hanging up on someone is a very disrespectful thing to do. It shows that you have no respect for the person you are speaking with and it makes them feel like their opinions or ideas don’t matter.

It also implies that you think whatever they have to say isn’t important, which can lead to hard feelings and resentment. Hanging up on someone shows a lack of communication skills, as it doesn’t give anyone an opportunity to resolve the issue or come to an agreement.

Final Thoughts

There are plenty of psychological reasons why someone would hang up and the impact it has on others.

There is always a better way to end a call than simply going to hang up. We hope you have found the answer to you question in the post.  You may also like to check out Is Hanging Up on Someone Rude.

Phil Taylor
Phil Taylor Body Language Expert