Nothing Can be gained by remaining friends with your ex.
I understand why people would want to remain friends but normally,,, That fantasy is for people who can not move on.
Its okay in some relationships like "friends with bonuses" (god I love inventing new phrases).
Yet still, the fact remains that that kind of relationship can be strained to the point of never happening again.
Its painful for people like me to continue relationships like that. There's the hope of ....... "If I were the last person on earth I might have a chance" thing going on.
I honestly don't think any good can come from a continuation of contact with a "mate" that rejects another in that way. Then attempts to maintain some sort of contact like..."If nothing works out I'll settle for you."
For people like me its insulting (not to mention other things).
I say "nay" on things like that.
Rejection I can handle. At least the pain is real. Of all things, at least that is something that I can deal with.
But Continuing a fake relationship is harmful to even think of. Not to mention insulting. What Idiot started this trend is beyond me. But I can honestly say its all for not.
Good luck to all of the real men and women out there.
Peace.

I am friends with most of my ex-girlfriends. The ones I have no contact with are the ones who well... Did not do so nice things when we were still dating. To be honest, I am in atleast speaking terms with some of them also. Some have however just faded away from my life like some people tend to do given enough time.

I see nothing wrong in this and it is not because I would not have "gotten over" them. Its just that once the boyfriend/girlfriend thing is over for both and you can move on with your life, I see no reason that you should resent the other person especially if there havent been stuff like violence, cheating or other kind of abuse. Or why cant be friends with a person who is fun just because you once sheared an intimate bond that is no longer there.

I'm still friends with a couple of my ex's since our relationship ended on a good note more of a mutual agreement to break up than something stupid.

I tend to stay friends with my ex's. I choose the kind of people I can get along with; I have never really been in love with anyone since the first, so it's easier to deal with things. We come together, we have a good time, interest fades, we split up. I even attended an ex's wedding and was very happy they had found each other, no jealousy or anything.

I never let go of friends, we just forget about each other.