No one plays mind games better than a betch can. But sometimes, bros give us a run for our money when they ignore us. But the line between ignoring someone and having a legit excuse is as hazy as the number of guys you hooked up with freshman year. But can you really tell if he’s like, trying to be silent or if he’s like accidentally silent? Yes. We can. And here’s exactly 5 situations where he is most likely ignoring you… and what to do in them.

1. You Text Him “Hey” Out Of The Blue And He Hasn’t Replied For Hours

If he usually replies right away and you have reason to believe he’s ignoring you, then he might be ignoring you. If you’re not sure if he’s ignoring you or just busy, try texting him something more interesting. A “hey” is like, asking to be ignored. Even if we weren’t busy, we’d find something to do just to not respond to a “hey.” But, hey, he might just be busy. The only way to find out is to stop being so boring.

2. You Were In The Middle Of A Conversation Where He Said He Wanted To Hang Out But He Stopped Replying

Specifically, when you tried to nail down a time and place. “Sure, does Thursday work?” Radio silence for days. Sure, he could be in the middle of driving or working out and just didn’t think to mention it since you were having such good conversation, but like, we live in the real world—for the time being, at least. So here’s what you do: go work out and work on your revenge body. Then if he still hasn’t texted you after your workout, you know for sure he’s ignoring you. If he asks—and ONLY if he asks—tell him your Thursday just got booked, and that you’re sorry it didn’t work out. Or better yet, beat him at his own passive-aggressive game and just don’t follow back up. Ever.

3. You Made Plans To Hang Out Over A Week Ago But When You Text Him To Confirm He Doesn’t Reply

Last week he couldn’t wait to see you. Now he’s not replying to confirm what time you’re meeting. Maybe he got caught up at work. But most people have their phones at work. And most people would still give their friends a heads up if a plan changes. Yet here you are, waiting to hear if your date is canceled as you get less excited and more annoyed to go on it. Don’t go on that date unless you actively want to be stood up. You’re a betch with important things to do—if a guy can’t be bothered to confirm your date, you should just assume it’s not happening and then make plans to get drunk with your friends instead. Definitely don’t let him off the hook from him when you do eventually get a bullshit apology from him. A guy who can’t even be bothered to confirm plans with you isn’t worth said plans.

4. You Responded To A Text He Sent You Asking “What’s Up” & He Hasn’t Replied Back

Also he liked a status of yours since. The fact that he liked your status is indication he doesn’t want to reply to your text. He wants you to know he’s still DTF but not really interested in talking to you. He’s definitely ignoring you, and you can react by forgetting he exists.

5. You Texted Him Something Important That Definitely Warrants A Response

You were like “Hey, I left my car keys in your apartment is there any way you can let me back in?” And now it’s been two hours and you walked home. Still no response. He did say he had “a lot of work to do” when you left, but this is 2017 and we all bring our phones to the bathroom. So this might be one situation in which it’s okay to go Stage 5 Psycho on him and show up at his place unannounced—you just want your pink shirt stuff back!! 

The bottom line is, if you think he’s ignoring you, he probably is, and you should ignore him right the fuck back. He might think he’s playing hard to get, but ultimately he’s playing himself. Betches have about as much time for childish bullshit as we do for people who talk to us before we’ve had coffee—aka none.