It’s never easy to see your ex-boyfriend or girlfriend in public. Unless you’ve already gotten over the breakup or are hoping to get back together, it’s never okay to see your ex in public with a new girlfriend or boyfriend. It can be painful and uncomfortable, especially when you don’t know how to act when you come face to face with your ex. Being single and seeing your ex in public doesn’t have to be a painful experience. If you know how to handle it, you can strengthen it and help you get through the breakup. There are good and bad ways to treat an ex when you meet in public. Most of the time you will find yourself inclined towards bad manners if you are not careful and you can cause a scene in public. Here are some tips to help you know what to do and what not to do when meeting your ex-girlfriend or boyfriend in public.
1. keep calm
One of the best things you can do when you see your ex-boyfriend or girlfriend in public is to stay calm. Don’t lash out or make a scene. Don’t show her that the breakup still hurts. Don’t show how much you miss him. You never know, he or she could be in pain too and just doing a good job hiding it. You should appear calm, strong, independent, and not so angry that you cannot control yourself in public. Acting like a gentleman or a lady in such a situation can be difficult, but you will have maintained your reputation.
2. Be confident
There are times when calm is not enough. You also need to be confident when you see your ex in public. You are definitely going to experience a lot of emotions when you see it. You may even get confused and not know what to say or how to act. Confidence will help you cope with your ex after a breakup. It helps you not appear scared or closed in front of your ex. Confidence will boost your character and make you accessible. It will help you with many situations in life, like seeing your ex in public.
3. make it short
It’s okay to have a conversation with your ex when you are in public. However, it should be short and simple, even if you ended the relationship on a good note. Don’t make the conversation too long. Don’t talk about something he or she posted on Facebook. Don’t talk about his family either. It could bring up pent-up feelings and you don’t want to make a scene in public. Just exchange a few words after the greetings and make sure you don’t go any further. Make up an excuse to get out of there like you’re busy or something. Just smile, walk away, and don’t look back. The meeting should be a small gathering and not the highlight of the day.
4. Be courteous
This can be difficult, especially if he or she was responsible for the breakup and you are still angry and hurt. If you see your ex from afar and he or she hasn’t seen you, you don’t have to get his or her attention. However, if he or she sees you, just smile, say hello, and go about your business. You can still appear independent and content. You don’t need to be rude. If you come face-to-face with him or her and are with someone, be polite and introduce who you are with. Just treat him like you would treat anyone else you meet in public. If your ex hurts you and you are nice to him or her when you meet, he or she will feel embarrassed. In the end, you will be a mature person and come out on top.
5. Be casual
When you meet your ex in public, you are likely to have a small episode of heart attack. Once you get through the episode, try to recover. Put panic in an imaginary box and throw it away. The best way to make your meeting a lot less awkward is to make it appear informal. Even if your insides want to scream until you pass out, just pretend how you feel until you do. When you learn to mask your emotions and appear casual, meeting him in public will no longer be a big problem. You will start treating it like any other meeting with a friend.
6. Avoid the past
When you meet him, old memories and unfinished business are likely to surface. You have to remember that there is a reason why previous boyfriends or girlfriends are called exes. Avoid talking to him or her about the past relationship and feelings. Bringing up the past will only leave you both with bitter and negative feelings. There is nothing worse than ending a relationship on a bad note. You need to know that what’s done is done. All you can do is respect the relationship you had and remember the good times you had. So, just talk about current events or something you both saw posted on social media like Facebook. If you have nothing to talk about, say hello and get on with your business.
7. Avoid your ex if necessary
It’s understandable if it’s too early to see your ex in public, especially if you broke up recently. Remember that your heart is not made of steel and it takes time to heal and move on. So when you see her and feel like you’re not ready to have an encounter with the person, just avoid her. Don’t strain if you feel like you’re not ready. It does not mean that you are weak and cowardly. It just means that you are smart enough to respect what you feel and take the time you need. Remember that he or she could be hurting too and may not be ready to see you.
8. Act like an adult
As much as it hurts and your heart feels fragile and weak, don’t act like a child when you see your ex in public. It can be easy to do this if you’ve moved on and difficult if the breakup still hurts. Just act like an adult and stay relaxed, calm, and polite. When you act like this, he or she will see that you are responsible, mature, and not the ex-freak they would have been embarrassed to say they dated.
9. Don’t cry when you see your ex in public
As much as you want to cry when you see your ex, don’t. Crying will get you nowhere. It will just create a scene that neither you nor your ex wants right now. Crying will make things uncomfortable and difficult. You will feel embarrassed later when you think about it. Just think of something that will make you smile when you meet your ex. You can even make sure your meeting doesn’t take a long time by keeping the conversation short.
10. Show no pain
Don’t act hurt when in front of your ex. Even if you miss him, don’t show it. If you feel like your relationship didn’t end well or you have some unfinished business, ask your ex to meet with you privately. That way, both of you can express your feelings privately without an anxious audience. Never wear your emotions on your sleeve in public or show how angry you are. It will only make you look desperate and unattractive. This is never a good look for you, as one day you will want to be in another relationship and your future boyfriend or girlfriend could be in the audience.
11. Don’t get your ex’s attention
If you were the one who ended the relationship, it may be difficult for you to avoid getting your ex’s attention. After all, you are a human being and you may still have feelings for him or her. However, don’t try to make the person jealous by posting certain photos on Facebook or trying to let them know how much better you are doing without him or her in your life. This will only make you look desperate. The best thing to do is to appear informal and polite. This will let the person know that you didn’t break up with the breakup. Your friendly attitude will let your ex know that they have lost the best they could have and that great things are coming your way.
12. Bring your friends
When you see your ex in public, it will surely be mentally stressful, which is why you need the support of your friends. If you know that you are going to see your ex when you go out, take your friends to build your confidence and make you feel comfortable. Friends will help cheer you up and make the situation less awkward. Therefore, do not be afraid to ask your friends for help in such a situation. They are the ones who best understand and know how to deal with the situation.
13. Don’t brag
If you have a new job or are dating someone new, don’t brag about this to your ex. It’s okay if the topic comes up naturally as your ex saw it on Facebook. Showing off to your ex won’t give you good attention or make him respect you. Just remember that you are good enough as you are. You don’t need to brag about what you have. Let it speak for itself. If it comes up in the conversation, go with the flow and your ex will respect you for not rubbing it in their face.
14. It’s okay to feel sad
Sometimes it’s okay to feel sad when you see your ex in public. If the relationship was a big part of your life and it just ended, it’s healthy to feel sad instead of holding back your feelings. A few days of sadness is fine and is nothing compared to a whole future of happiness ahead.
15. Handle it well
When you see your ex in public, be sure to let him know if the breakup was a long time ago. If he asks how you’re doing, tell him, but don’t overdo it. You don’t want to show how good your life looks without him or her in your life. This can make it look like you are trying to prove a point. Just tell your ex what is necessary, let him know that you have moved on, and have a positive attitude towards the breakup. Seeing your ex in public after a breakup can be a true test of your character. Prove your worth and sophistication by handling the situation like a pro without letting your emotions take over.