I tried that but it didn't work. I think if the breakup was mutual, then it's easier. But in my case, even if we were friends before going out for years (3 years in one case), it was impossible to continue the friendship for a number of reasons. One major reason is their new gf's who cannot stand the fact that their bf's talk to their ex's. One girl FLIPS out when she sees me or even hears my name being mentioned after being with my ex for 3 years now!!!!!!! So I dunno, obviously a lot of ppl already posted that it works for them. For me it never worked