Reach out to her and let her know that you've noticed she's giving you the cold shoulder. Try not to blame or shame her—instead, let her know that you'd like to hear what's bothering her and talk about what she's going through. “Hey, I noticed you've been a little quiet lately. Is everything okay?”
Acknowledge what she's done- but how you're not affected by it: It's important to 'call her out' on her bad behaviour, to show that you won't tolerate it, “Hey, I think you just gave me the cold shoulder…” whilst maintaining a light-hearted, playful tonality that suggests you're not fazed/ upset by it.
If she's giving you the cold shoulder, it may be that she needs time and space to think about her feelings for you. She may be confused about what she wants from the relationship, or even from life in general. It's important to remember that being given the cold shoulder isn't necessarily a bad sign.
To give the cold shoulder is to ignore or snub someone you know. It's the opposite of a warm welcome.
If someone displays unmanageable emotions and easily flies off the handle, this is a serious red flag. Responding with uncontrollable rage or the "silent treatment" could point to abusive (physical or emotional) behavior in the future, says Trombetti.
Give the Cold Shoulder Meaning
Definition: To be intentionally cruel or distant by ignoring someone. To give the cold shoulder to someone is to ignore that person's desires. When giving someone the cold shoulder, you might literally ignore what the person is saying or you might be intentionally rude.
The silent treatment might seem like a convenient way to opt out of a conversation that is bothering you but it's also super unhealthy. What most people don't know, is that the cold shoulder is a subtle form of manipulation.
Basically, you don't say anything, not even if the person tries to engage you in conversation. You actively choose not to respond to any comments, discussions, or accusations. If the person keeps engaging, simply tell him you are not willing to engage at this time.
an unfriendly attitude shown to someone or something, especially by intentionally ignoring or showing no interest in them: His wife was angry and giving him the cold shoulder.
The silent treatment puts a man in heightened anticipation. It shows you aren't afraid of little distance or break in a relationship. He doesn't know your whereabouts or how you feel. As a result, he realizes what he has lost.
Sometimes, women pull away and need space due to their own thoughts, feelings, and past experiences. If you go into panic mode, it may lead them to distance more, so give the person some time and let them know that it's okay for them to be independent or in need of space.
In general, the silent treatment is a manipulation tactic that can leave important issues in a relationship unresolved. It also can leave the partner on the receiving end feeling worthless, unloved, hurt, confused, frustrated, angry, and unimportant.
The person using the silent treatment may abruptly leave the house and stay out, or completely ignore the other partner the rest of the night, knowing this would be upsetting. In some cases, the use of the silent treatment may last for days or weeks.
Clearly, silent treatment creates an atmosphere of anxiety, fear, and sadness that preclude an underlying sense of safety. As such, it causes unhappiness and psychological harm that most often heightens conflict in a relationship. It can lead one to feel anger, abandonment, rejection, and overall distress.
One of the silent red flags in a relationship is partners avoiding confrontation or conflict. Your partner should be your safe space, providing you a sense of comfort. If you hesitate to have difficult conversations or express yourself in front of them, then it's a sign of an unhealthy relationship.
The silent treatment might be employed by passive personality types to avoid conflict and confrontation, while strong personality types use it to punish or control. Some people may not even consciously choose it at all.
It can also be a passive-aggressive response to avoid directly communicating how (hurt) they feel. Understanding why they're using the silent treatment can help you deal with it in the future.
The answer to this question also depends on your circumstances and the issue at hand. If you're together at home and have a showdown over something routine, don't let the tension simmer for too long. The best way to use the silent treatment effectively in this situation is to end it after a few hours.
Stonewalling is when a person in a relationship withdraws from an interaction, shuts down, and simply stops responding to their partner. Rather than confronting the issue, people who stonewall resort to evasive maneuvers.
When you give someone the silent treatment, you are showing them that they are insignificant, unworthy and unlovable. It can greatly deplete their self-esteem, leaving serious consequences. It can cause physical issues as well.
You should, if you care about her. It's not good to cool down for too long, either she has already cooled off and doesn't want to be with you, or she is too heartbroken to think about you again.