Debate Night: Staying Friends With Your Ex

You meet someone, you get along. You chat a bit more, you exchange numbers. You go for drinks, chat a bit more, share hobbies and other experiences. Sparks fly, attraction grows, contact intensifies, love develops. A relationship starts. You share the ins and outs of yourself, of your life, of your dreams, hopes, fears, and flaws. Things go well, but after a while, things start feeling off. Differences seem bigger than before, compatibility is questioned, arguments and quarrels become more common. A little while later, one or both partners involved decide that it isn't worth it anymore, and you decide to break up. Someone who you got very close to, is suddenly seemingly erased from your life. Or does it have to be this way?

"Can/should you stay friends with your ex?" is one of those questions that almost everyone has an opinion on. It affects people regardless of their age, gender, ethnicity, or background. In modern dating culture, almost everyone after a certain age has someone in their romantic past, someone who they have felt a lot of affection for and who meant a lot to them. On the one hand, why would you want to lose someone like that? On the other hand, if you broke up with someone, is it a good idea to remain close to that person, especially if the break-up happened on bad terms? Does staying too close to your ex hinder you from finding new love? And if you find new love, how happy would the other person be to hear that you're still friends with your ex? But isn't looking at human beings as disposable just as damaging?

This quintessentially controversial topic, one discussed in living rooms, at kitchen tables, on park benches, and on bar stools around the world, is coming to Brussels Debaters on Wednesday the 16th of April. If you want a deep dive into human relationships and how to deal with them once they end, come join us for what will undoubtedly be a lively debate.

This debate will be co-hosted between Jef and Petra!

First-time speakers are welcome to join. Participants who wish to speak are highly encouraged to bring paper and a pen.

You are welcome to participate even if you have no prior debating experience.