When you bump into an ex you despise

[Carmelabrown]

How do you cope or react when you walk past or are in a restaurant when a hated ex appears? I am hoping to never clap eyes on a man I had a short fling with. He turned cruel, used intimidation and gaslighted me when I found he was dating. He still wanted to use me despite him saying they were in love! We used to work together, I know he had spreading lies. So how do I control my face expression if I ever run into the same space as the nasty bastard?

I act as if they are not there and don't exist. My heart might be pounding and I am in a bit of shock at suddenly seeing them but I turn away and do not acknowledge.

I hope I look stunning and pretend they don't even exist.

I wouldn't acknowledge their existence. Don't show you have even recognised them. They are beneath your notice and are instantly forgettable.

🙂

Ignore them. Don’t make eye contact and don’t react. I’d whip out my phone and pretend to be immersed in a deep conversation.

You need to either act as if he has kicked the bucket, like he is dead or
look at him, like he is piece of dog shit you've had misfortune to step into, in a arrogant way,
as you are definitely are a lot better person than he is, by the sounds of it,

He's sounds like he was an Arsehole Op,

thankfully you're got rid of the albatross 🤔of a waste 🗑 of an ex,
dragging you down emotionally into the gutter,

I've been there and know exactly what it's like.
Surround yourself with good people who care about you and genuine..

spend time on yourself,
taking part in hobbies that are good for you emotionally ect,
creative stuff is wonderful for that.

write all about all the things you can do in your life now that are beneficial for you ,
now this ex is no longer in your life.

I saw mine in the supermarket. He was with his new girlfriend. I looked an absolute state, rushing around prepping for a big party the next day, no make up, terrible clothes, dirty hair. I dropped the basket of shopping on the floor and looked up to see them staring down at me while I scrabbled around on the floor picking up 15 pots of cream like a greedy dairy maniac.

I blanked him. He chased me down the street calling my name. I stood and answered his blustering questions with one word answers until he got embarrassed and bumbled off. Saw him again a few years later and he glared at me and stormed past.

Oh bless ya 😂 😂
Much as I'd love to say blank them, this is exactly the sort of thing I would do!!

Thanks all, you've all me made me feel better, I definitely will ignore him and his evil stare, remembering the Mn replies.

I saw one on the up escalator when I was on the down one. I smiled and kept going. He phoned me a few weeks later and mentioned it. I blocked him.

I completely ignore and I knew him well enough that it infuriated him 😅

It sounds like you're maybe not completely over him and want to cross paths?

The thought of bumping into my exes doesn't even cross my mind, and if I did I would smile and continue with my life.

I met mine and smiled a small vague smile somewhere over his shoulder and sailed past.
It felt fine.
If he had said anything, I wouldn't have broken my stride.

I did this to avoid an annoying ex work colleague but was foiled when my phone started ringing really loudly 🤣🙄

Teenysalad, I never want to cross paths with him. He was vindictive so I would not be smiling at him.

“Hello Jim. Jim, this is my lovely partner William. William, this is Jim, who mentally abused me and beat me up, and is responsible for those scars on my legs.”

(names have been changed)

I didn’t think I’d have the gumption to say it out loud, and I did need a stiff drink afterwards.

In that case simply ignore him.

Just look the other way. I think though I agree with the pp, maybe you’re not over this, I don’t mean still into him, but not over what happened, as he’s clearly taking a lot of your head space.

You’re even posting on mumsnet to ask how your face should look in the event you ever see him again. Over it is giving him little to no thought.