Why would a man stay friends with an ex and say she’s like a family but no longer date her?

[Anonymous]

All his friends know her, his family knows her, but they only dated for a few months many years ago until they decided to stay friends instead because they’d make better friends than romantic partners. He said he needed a different personality for a partner… They do sometimes visit each other for stay over and they might be friends with benefits. He calls her family but says the connection is not enough for him to pursue anything romantic.

[ohsheeT]

Just about like everything else in this world society has told us how we should be well society is not right all the time you're with somebody for a period of time you break up why does it have to end up in heartache why can't it end up as a friendship like you started you're both adults and it doesn't have to be society rules where you're supposed to hate that person you're supposed to do everything evil to them that's not the way it's supposed to be it's time for us all to grow and treat people the way that we want to be treated every girl that I've ever broke up with I am still friends with I don't see them all the time if I run into them we can have a little talk have each other and that's it we don't have to hate

[BullShark]

It's a rare occurrence but yes, it really is possible. Sometimes, people who date one another end up realizing that there's not enough chemistry between them, and that they're better off as friends instead, and so they may break up but stay friends. But again as I said, this is a rare occurrence and can ONLY happen when there's absolutely no romantic feelings between either partner.

They both can go date the people they actually like instead, but stay friends with another, and it could be the best decision of their lives.

[Kelly6]

@lafemmefatale_1 This happens only if both break friendly and keep their old title as friends.

Its not something rare.

In this situation if one finds a partner and gets married, the ex also attends the wedding and feels happy for him.

[Daniela1982]

She is an Ex for a reason. Why would he want to date her? As far as being part of the family. You can even be on the outs with family members.

[NathanDavis]

I can't speak for others... only for my own experience

and I am good and close friends, with two of my exes (high-school and college days) but that is because before our romantic relationship, we were already good friends first, so we only remained or went back to that friendship that already existed...

but no, I would never ever say she is like family, I obviously don't have sex and romance with relatives, lmfao...

I call her and refer to her as what she is, a long time friend of mine... and we're only friends -no benefits- they have had their own relationships and I also had mine, for that, lol

[Angelo75]

Well as being someone that got cheated upon, I simply don't trust such a situation.

I asume that the spark or weakness that was there when they got into a relationship together with the good memories will always linger around to create dangerous cheating-potential situations.

[MicahRaine]

It's rare but really it is possible.

I'm still good friends with my first ex because we have an immense amount of mutual respect and our values align and even during the break up we respected each other and treated each other well. Now I'm cheering her and her boyfriend on and can't wait for their engagement announcement!

[superchan2011]

That's confusing to me too. Maybe he has deeper feelings for her than what he's portraying, or maybe he thinks of her like a sister. I thought of my ex as family because I loved her and we spent a long time together. 4 years versus a few months. So those are my guesses but it's honestly a bit perplexing.

[ProbablyClueless]

Unless there's some additional piece of context you haven't included, you seem to have written the answer in your question details. He's doing that because he and the woman are better friends than lovers.

[Nikki1989]

Why not is a better question?

We are friends with all our exes. Friends should remain friends.

[TheStaleMarshmellow]

Jerry and Elaine come to mind from Seinfeld

[virgo2267]

Clearly no right woman will not feel a bit intimidated

[Mwolf]

He sees her as a best girl friend not girlfriend material.

[WhitneySnow]

That’s really tricky. I would have a big problem dating a guy who had a “friend” like that.

[Fireguy17]

You can still be good friends with an ex but just cannot be a couple.
It isn't all that uncommon.

[Ironic_Method]

Because even though we aren't together, I still admire my exes and want them in my life. It works.

[In_Trance]

Absolutely not

[LiamJHayden]

People can be compatible as friends but incompatible romantically.

[plundo]

Not that cool in my opinion, but maybe he really likes her as a person. Many people do that

[rokkinroll]

Because he's a weak personality type and also doesn't want to make a real commitment to another human being.

[Bklynbadboy12]

Cause he's still dealing with her don't fall for it

[Flower7]

He feels like she's not good enough for him.

[MoonFace2]

I’d trust him.

[kaucky1]

No strings attached not attachment of feelings

[msc545]

He values the friendship, I think.