There is no such option in the profile settings. You can only allow or disallow newbies to send you PMs, but that doesn't affect your permissions to PM them. If your settings don't allow newbies to PM you, you can still PM them. Each user can customize their own ignore list though, which allows you to add any user whose PMs you don't want to receive. I don't know why that user would add you to his ignore list if you never interacted with each other before.
That is not correct Pmalek, look at Theymos' post on it:
In response to the annoying PM spam, you now have to opt into receiving PMs from newbies. The option is in your
PM preferences. You also can't
send PMs to newbies if you haven't opted in. Copper members are exempt, but only if you're wearing the copper membership.
You should opt into receiving newbie PMs if you post offers in the marketplace, if you like answering newbie questions, if you're a moderator, etc.
To start with, if you sent a PM
to a newbie in the last 30 days, you're already "opted in".
If you opt out of Newbies sending you PM's, then you can't also send them PM's.
User 'HumanityWhole' is a newbie, but your options are set such that you cannot receive PMs from newbies. Therefore, you cannot send PMs to newbies, either.
This is why you are getting that message:
And if you try to PM a newbie while you're ignoring newbies, you get:
User _____ is a newbie, but your options are set such that you cannot receive PMs from newbies. Therefore, you cannot send PMs to newbies, either.
So if you want to PM this user, you have to opt in to receive PM's from newbies, otherwise you cannot. Check the thread:
Newbie Pm opt-in