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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To date friends ex?

174 replies

imasize3 · 05/11/2024 21:38

My friend had an ex and they were together for a year, she wanted them to move in together (he lived about 2 hours away at the time) and that was the catalyst for their breakup as he didn’t want to.

Three years since and she’s living with her fiancé and seems very happy. I bumped into her ex on a night out and found out he’d moved back and we live close, he added me on socials and we’ve been talking non stop and he’s asked me out.

I’ve spoken to my friend and she’s clearly pissed of wish me and said she’d prefer I didn’t go out with him

OP posts:
DoctorAngelface · 06/11/2024 16:46

I really don't get why it's a problem. Half my friend group have dated each other at one point or another.

SabrinaCarpentersCeilingFan · 06/11/2024 17:08

KingOfPeace · 05/11/2024 21:41

Ah, I wouldn't have spoken to the friend in any sort of way which suggested asking permission.

I think that's a fair gap since they dated and she has a good life, go for it.

Corrr, who needs friends like you!

Richiewoo · 06/11/2024 17:08

If you want to lose your friend ho for it. My ex best friend went out with my ex. Ruined our friendship. If you do you're a shitty friend.

Beamur · 06/11/2024 17:10

If you value the friendship don't date her ex..

HolyPeaches · 06/11/2024 17:10

imasize3 · 06/11/2024 16:10

It’s not defensive. But a stupid comment deserves a stupid response.

When most men people have been with on this thread have likely also had their dicks in multiple women.

I don’t know any man who has “had their dick” in multiple women of the same friendship group.

HolyPeaches · 06/11/2024 17:12

Usernamesarenoteasy · 06/11/2024 16:21

But how is it different? I'm still not seeing why it's an issue?

Yeah you’re deffo a bloke 😂

Nanny0gg · 06/11/2024 17:13

imasize3 · 06/11/2024 16:10

It’s not defensive. But a stupid comment deserves a stupid response.

When most men people have been with on this thread have likely also had their dicks in multiple women.

How about the main point that she probably didn't want to break up so could do without the prospect of him back in her life?

How good a friend is (was) she?

SabrinaCarpentersCeilingFan · 06/11/2024 17:20

Yes most people on this threads partners have been in multiple women as up put it. But not our FRIENDS.

Usernamesarenoteasy · 06/11/2024 17:21

HolyPeaches · 06/11/2024 17:12

Yeah you’re deffo a bloke 😂

I'm really not, but thanks 🤣🤣

ThisZippyDenimGoose · 06/11/2024 17:24

Agree, it’s not about dictating anything to anyone, it’s about having consideration for your friend’s feelings.

SoNiceToComeHomeTo · 06/11/2024 17:25

Your friend has been clear that she'd be upset. You did ask her! It would be very awkward and possibly upsetting to keep meeting this man socially after she wanted to move in with him and he didn't want to, and they broke up over it. If you feel he's 'the one' then go with it, but realising it will be at the expense of your friendship.

DreamyRedNewt · 06/11/2024 17:27

Why would you do that to a friend when there are millions of men to choose from? It is un bad taste, even if she has a happy life and has got over him

MoveToParis · 06/11/2024 22:42

SoNiceToComeHomeTo · 06/11/2024 17:25

Your friend has been clear that she'd be upset. You did ask her! It would be very awkward and possibly upsetting to keep meeting this man socially after she wanted to move in with him and he didn't want to, and they broke up over it. If you feel he's 'the one' then go with it, but realising it will be at the expense of your friendship.

But breaking up with him was the precursor to finding her fiancé. Surely that just says- lucky escape: hard at the time, but so glad it happened.

Regardless of what OP does, she really has seen quite an immature and spiteful side to her friend, and in her position I think I’d be pushing her out to acquaintance.

In general terms I agree with not being with your friends’ exes, but that fades over time. And once you get married then really you have very little right. Stirring up drama because you can over a long dead relationship is really pathetic.

MoveToParis · 06/11/2024 22:51

SabrinaCarpentersCeilingFan · 06/11/2024 17:20

Yes most people on this threads partners have been in multiple women as up put it. But not our FRIENDS.

I think the issue is the vulgar and misogynistic terms. If sloppy seconds is the problem why would a stranger’s be preferable to a known person’s?

If on the other hand it’s the close relationship that you aren’t privy to, then why talk about other women (including your friends) as sloppy seconds.

But also why would the friend assume that her name would even be mentioned between OP and the man? I wonder what the friend is worried he might disclose to OP about what she says about the friendship behind their backs.

SoNiceToComeHomeTo · 06/11/2024 22:51

MoveToParis · 06/11/2024 22:42

But breaking up with him was the precursor to finding her fiancé. Surely that just says- lucky escape: hard at the time, but so glad it happened.

Regardless of what OP does, she really has seen quite an immature and spiteful side to her friend, and in her position I think I’d be pushing her out to acquaintance.

In general terms I agree with not being with your friends’ exes, but that fades over time. And once you get married then really you have very little right. Stirring up drama because you can over a long dead relationship is really pathetic.

Mmm, I see what you mean, but I don't think these things are quite that straightforward. Finding a new partner doesn't always mean having no feelings at all about previous partners, and in this case the relationship didn't just fizzle out; she may have experienced it as devastating and humiliating, and hate seeing him now.
I think it might be the end of the friendship, but of course OP is free to go ahead and take that risk.

MoveToParis · 06/11/2024 23:07

SoNiceToComeHomeTo · 06/11/2024 22:51

Mmm, I see what you mean, but I don't think these things are quite that straightforward. Finding a new partner doesn't always mean having no feelings at all about previous partners, and in this case the relationship didn't just fizzle out; she may have experienced it as devastating and humiliating, and hate seeing him now.
I think it might be the end of the friendship, but of course OP is free to go ahead and take that risk.

she may have experienced it as devastating and humiliating, and hate seeing him now.

… doesn’t that basically agree with my point regarding immature and spiteful.

Surely that is the very meaning of immaturity- she cannot regardless of the intervening years, put the end of the relationship in the context of her life now.
And surely it is the meaning of spiteful that - regardless of the intervening years she still directs her energy into hate, and trying spike both his and her friends happiness to prevent any examination of her own values or behaviour.

Ladyluckinred · 06/11/2024 23:18

I think it depends on how close you were when they dated, OP. I had a friend who was very close with me when I was with an ex. When she started dating my ex, it didn’t sit right with me as I felt she and my ex possibly had those feelings all along. I lost a lot of trust in our friendship on that basis. If the circumstances were different, I’d likely feel different and it wouldn’t be as impactful.

They didn’t last long and although we managed to repair the friendship I always doubted her intentions. We drifted eventually, life moved us on.

Sceptical123 · 07/11/2024 05:57

MoveToParis · 06/11/2024 22:51

I think the issue is the vulgar and misogynistic terms. If sloppy seconds is the problem why would a stranger’s be preferable to a known person’s?

If on the other hand it’s the close relationship that you aren’t privy to, then why talk about other women (including your friends) as sloppy seconds.

But also why would the friend assume that her name would even be mentioned between OP and the man? I wonder what the friend is worried he might disclose to OP about what she says about the friendship behind their backs.

This is a point I forgot to mention when I previously posted . OP becoming involved with her friend’s ex puts her friend in a really uncomfortable position few ppl are put in - the possibility of really private and personal information being shared by a partner with someone they know. That could be sexual matters - “X never did that, she said it was demeaning” or “she wasn’t very good at it” etc, or maybe personal insecurities and secrets, or family information, that she only shares with very limited ppl who are extremely close to her.

It’s a horrible place to be knowing that intimate details about you can be shared once the relationship, which you may feel will go on forever, comes to an end. But usually you don’t have to think about it too much bc you don’t know the person they move onto, and have nothing to do with either of them again. Even if OP never hears from her friend again once she starts a fling/relationship with her ex, her friend will know that she’s not some anonymous woman her ex will be speaking about/ laughing about/ deriding, but someone the OP actually knows - and it works both ways - her friend could also be fearing OP might share some private information with her ex that she wanted to remain undisclosed - information she never in a million years would suspect he’d be privy to after they’d broken up (he dumped her). She may worry OP might share the newly-learned gossip information among the wider friendship group. Horrendous.

She really is in a vulnerable position for all sorts of reasons and she has a wedding she’s no doubt looking forward to/ stressing over and you’re adding more worry onto this now aren’t you.

You’ve likely made up your mind, OP but if you’re going to plough ahead with it, admit you’re being selfish and don’t give a shit how your friend will be affected by this - it could impact and potentially damage her mental health. She may be worried about her upcoming wedding and whether to invite you or not in case you bring him - the impact it will have on your friendship group and her support network…. Fair enough, this isn’t your problem, but do you have any empathy towards her? Are you fond of her or is she more of an acquaintance?

Saying OP shouldn’t be dictated to by her friend is understandable, particularly when said friend is engaged and has seemingly moved on, but there is personal history here and a unique set of circumstances- primary being she didn’t end the relationship, or if she did it was involuntarily, bc her ex wouldn’t move in with her, thus drawing a line under their relationship by his lack of commitment. She didn’t want the relationship to end. OP also asked her how she felt about it - which if she ignores is spitting in her face basically. She didn’t have to ask, but I suspect she was expecting hoping for her blessing so she could pursue this guy guilt-free.

Going out with a friend’s ex is of course a matter of choice and isn’t strictly forbidden - but it’s similar to sleeping with an older friend’s son or daughter - if it’s legal and consensual, there’s nothing wrong with it, but it’s still not morally right and is being inconsiderate to your friend’s feelings, which from this thread it sounds like many ppl are happy to ignore for their own personal gratification.

imasize3 · 07/11/2024 13:31

I’ve not read any posts since a good few pages ago because yawn. I’ve told him that out of respect we can’t continue talking.

OP posts:
NonPlayerCharacter · 07/11/2024 13:34

imasize3 · 07/11/2024 13:31

I’ve not read any posts since a good few pages ago because yawn. I’ve told him that out of respect we can’t continue talking.

If you're bored by the answers, don't ask the question.

Sceptical123 · 07/11/2024 14:49

NonPlayerCharacter · 07/11/2024 13:34

If you're bored by the answers, don't ask the question.

Exactly. She wanted confirmation not advice. Wrong forum.

imasize3 · 07/11/2024 15:30

Sceptical123 · 07/11/2024 14:49

Exactly. She wanted confirmation not advice. Wrong forum.

I didn’t want confirmation you daft woman 😂

OP posts:
Sceptical123 · 07/11/2024 15:33

imasize3 · 07/11/2024 15:30

I didn’t want confirmation you daft woman 😂

Why are so many ppl under that impression and that you are only arsey with ppl who don’t agree it’s not a big deal then you idiotic woman?

imasize3 · 07/11/2024 16:19

Sceptical123 · 07/11/2024 15:33

Why are so many ppl under that impression and that you are only arsey with ppl who don’t agree it’s not a big deal then you idiotic woman?

Only arsey with people who don’t agree? I’ve barely responded to this thread. You’ve all been talking amongst yourselves hoping I come back because you’re so bored in life.

OP posts:
JollyPinkFox · 07/11/2024 16:21

imasize3 · 07/11/2024 16:19

Only arsey with people who don’t agree? I’ve barely responded to this thread. You’ve all been talking amongst yourselves hoping I come back because you’re so bored in life.

And come back you have!

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