system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
Why do professors ignore letter of recommendation requests instead of just declining?

Is it a sign that they simply forgot to reply or missed my email, or is it that they just can't be bothered to reply at all if they aren't interested?

&#x200B;

**Edit:** When I make requests in the future, would it be appropriate to tack on "just a simple yes or no answer is fine" at the end of the email, to hint that I would appreciate even a very curt refusal rather than silence?
gpt
No, tacking that on would be passive aggressive.

And it's often because the email was lost in the neverending flood of other things, or because it's easier to ignore than deal with the response to a no.

Send a single, polite followup or ask them during office hours. If no response then, head elsewhere.