It definitely depends on the seriousness of the relationship. I can't be friends with my ex that I was with for 2 and a half years and we've been broke up for 3 years. However, I am really good friends with a guy that I dated for 8 months.

Possible? Yes.

Done it? Yes.

But only after a total separation period in which the time apart really depends on the emotional bond either of you had for one another.

Probably this...

I couldn't even stay just friends with a friend whom I crushed on so I seriously doubt I could be friends with an ex right away if I still had feelings for him.

I told my ex I could not be friends with him because even when we're talking and being friendly I will be wanting to have sex with him. Until further notice - we talk, we're still not friends.

It's always really awkward for a while. Sometimes it's best if we don't see each other because sometimes we forget why we broke up and try to get back together. Then we get into a fight and remember why we broke up.

I couldn't even stay just friends with a friend whom I crushed on so I seriously doubt I could be friends with an ex right away if I still had feelings for him.

What about FL? See how it always comes full circle back to FL?

I'm going to have to agree with everyone and say that if there is still feelings there that friendship will never be authentic. I will also say that friendship with an Ex is not always bad, but if you truely want that then you will have to deal with any emotions you have and get over the relationship first.

I'm not friends with any of my exes who I've actually had serious relationships with.

I do, however, have friends who I've had flings with.

So.. for me, no, not if there was any deep emotional connection.

Cant do it and why do it I already have friends.

I think for a while, you have to distance yourself - no communication. Just to move on. You're either dating or no. No in between friendship. Then later, after you have both moved on you can revisit the idea of friendship.

Like the others have said, wait till you no longer have feelings for them. I think my latest XGF would be an awesome friend, but we were pretty intense for awhile and it's not going to happen any time soon, unfortunately.

I am friends with my ex. In fact we make better friends than we did partners. He doesn't bug me as much!!! ;o)

Someone once told me the that the past is the past, because you've grown and have passed through it to shut the door and never to return. I sometimes wish that were the case for me.

I have 2 ex's that I'm currently "friendly" with -- as in, we keep in touch on FB but never really see each other. Sometimes there's the occasional phone call but it's only to catch up on what's going down in our lives. I do have 1 ex who has managed to come back into my life and I've tried very hard to keep him at arms length, but it's hard. We had a very torrid relationship while he was in the midst of a divorce with two small children. When it was good, it was the best relationship ever. But, when it was bad, it was a lot of bad fights, yelling, name calling, etc. I chalked it up to the divorce and the stress and we took a small break. When we got back together, I learned he had slept with a girl he worked with (who was also 10 years younger) and he wound up marrying her a few years later. Fast forward several years, I've moved on, moved to a new state and tried to piece my life back together. I was depressed from this for several months. I was at my parents house seeing my sister for her birthday and he happened to stop by to see my dad, with wife in tow. Talk about ackward. Little by little he'd contact me again for this or that. He had helped me with small issues here and there - I guess you'd say he felt obligated after what he had done to me. But then we started getting closer again, and it seemed like when things were failing with his 2nd marriage, he'd show me more and more interest, only to disappear again for stretches when things would get better with him and his wife. I felt like Jennifer Nettles wrote that song "Stay" for me - it was exactly how my life was drawn into, a country song about loving someone who wasn't yours. The last time I saw him was two years ago.. I was 81 lbs heavier, miserable, depressed and he was showing me affection when no one else was. I made a bad choice and again, I paid for it with my emotions getting wrapped up in someone I'd never have anything with. Fast forward to this weekend - over the past several weeks, he would confide in me through texts and emails,his unhappiness in his marriage, how he was seperated and was upset that he missed my most recent birthday which included him calling to ask me to dinner. I accepted as I figured, it would be nice to get out and also, to have face time so I could tell him how I felt those past few years. He was very affectionate with me, holding my hand, telling me how beautiful I am and how I looked like a completely different person, using PDA (though I would turn my face away), talking to me as if we were a couple. But we're not, and I tried to make that clear to him. We had a nice time at dinner and afterwards, went to a bar to do some karaoke, "like old times." At the end of the night, I knew what he was expecting and I told him then and there that I just couldn't. I love who I've become, this stronger, better person. I'm not the same unhappy, depressed overweight lump -- I'm somebody with feelings and I deserve to be treated like the good and honest person I am. This friendship is past the point of fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me. There's no third time. He walked away dejected, hating me I'm sure, but he'll get over it. I wrote him a note today to explain my choices since he wouldn't stay and listen to me when I tried to talk about it. I haven't heard back, and I probably won't. I feel proud in my new choice, for the new me. I think that everyone should have a good life, full of love and a significant other who treats them well and with respect. I think I can honestly say, I've learned my lesson and I've learned it well. I think the most satisfying thing was shutting the door that night and smiling to myself knowing, you are strong Ang. You are so very strong.

Presently am, and 4 hours distance makes it a lot easier