I voted that I let them decide, but that isn't entirely true -- my first 'real' boyfriend from years ago started out as a good friend, then we became a couple, and then we drifted apart, I don't remember why, but we were still friends (I remember at one point he sheepishly said that he'd slept with one of our mutual friends and asked if that was okay with me, which it was). Then I went abroad for a while and didn't see him, and he got married to a woman who doesn't let him see his exes unless they're married, too... how awful is that? So since I'm not married, he keeps our communication to a minimum. If I got to choose though, I'd be seeing a lot more of him.
With my next ex I was so relieved that he split up with me that I just didnt consider phoning him for months afterwards, and since he didn't either, our friendship ended. But then there wasn't really any friendship there to begin with; it began with sex and when we got to know each other, more and more unpleasant sides emerged (in him, that is, dunno about myself... )
And I haven't been in touch a lot with my latest ex either, but I saw him about a week ago -- he invited himself -- and I'm glad that he did, because he was great to talk to. I can understand, now, why his exes always want to stay friends with him. (He was immensely annoying to have as a boyfriend though!)
That is so true. A short-term relationship is one thing but as soon as it's longer it's really sad if they're not on speaking terms.
Me too, but yeah, it can be very hard. But when I really love someone it's forever, or else it wasn't love in the first place.