So here's my hair-pulling non-understanding take on this event: WHEN IT'S OVER IT'S OVER!!! For the life of me I cannot comprehend the "let's stay friends" concept. I do understand the need for being civilized towards each other IF there are children involved, but that's it. How and why people choose to stay in a less involved relationship is beyond me. Usually they end badly; name calling, blaming, violence, and general animosity towards each other. And it serves to stunt a persons personal growth and ability to move on. Like they are holding onto a hope that maybe someday if they change that all will be well and they get back together again. For what? To just repeat the same old mistakes and behaviors? I tried this exercise once, and I still beat myself up for it... what the hell was I thinking??? It's nothing more than a constant reminder of how the relationship failed and causes me more anger and frustration and prevented me from learning from that mistake, prevented me from actual healing, and damaged any potential for a more in depth and healthier relationship in the future with someone different. So if you find yourself in this in this situation, you owe it to yourself to honestly and openly assess your reasoning behind a continued yet lessened relationship.