Being able to reply, even when you don’t want to, shows courage, honesty, respect, and more… Also, it might be easier than you think—clear your conscience and lighten your load.

Unfortunately, these days, most people can be cowardly, lazy, or deceitful (take the easy way out), even if we don’t expect this of them. 

The problem:  Why be direct, kind, or considerate, when you don’t have to?   Manners and morals seem to matter less and less, publicly or privately—and nobody will really notice your faux pas (mistakes) except you and the person you’re upsetting or disappointing.  Then, time will pass without any major consequences (at least on the surface).

If your tendency is not to reply, question yourself, and see what’s really driving that behavior. You might:
1. not be interested
2. have other priorities
3. feel awkward and not know what to say or do
4. think not replying is the best way to send an obvious (no) message
5. still not be sure how to proceed
6. have concerns about what the other party might think, feel or say
7. not care because you won’t have to deal with the other party again
8. have no common friends or acquaintances to witness what happens
9. be at long-distance and not have to see the other person face to face
10. never have met the other person directly (maybe only on-line)

Then, think about changing your pattern. Maybe you only behave this way in certain aspects of your life—professionally not personally, or personally not professionally. Would you like to be a better and more consistent/appealing person all round?

If you are able to let a "no reply" be better than no reply you’ll help make the world a better place (one person at a time), and, along the way:
1. lose the fear
2. stop playing games
3. know you’ve done the "right thing"
4. not have old "stuff" hanging over you, while being seen to be reliable
5. have more chance of being trusted and counted on in the future
6. like yourself better and be more likely to have others like you