Like the Carpenters song said, "breaking up is hard to do." When that time comes there comes the question 'do we stay friends?' It's a hard decision and it really just depends on the relationship. Sometimes you break up because you're just not that into the other person. If your only problem is that you just didn't mesh as a couple then great, you can go back to being friends and at least you gave it a shot.

Sometimes you have the really long relationship where you just grow apart, it happens. Some don't handle the break so well, either becoming extremely upset or sometimes violent. Then there is the occasional stalker ex. They just can't get over you, and will always love you, and blah, blah, blah. This person usually has a warped view of reality, so I would not advise keeping in touch.

Even if you're just trying to be nice, and you don't want to hurt them, do you really want 20 missed calls if you don't answer or the same car to be circling your house on a nightly basis? Don't get me wrong, the traveling fan club might score brownie points with some but there is a very distinct line between friendly and stalker. Personally, I'd say stay as far away as possible.

Then there's the ex that refuses to grow up. They would never break up with you so you had to make the cut. Maybe you can remain friends despite the fact that you are in college and to this day he is still working at a Verizon kiosk.

Bottom line is that breaking up, being friends with ex's, or friend's with their friends is tough. It can be compared to cramming at 4 a.m. to get that paper done, even though you've known about it all year.