Sometimes when you develop feelings they happen to be for your friend's ex. But, pursuing these feelings might not always be worth it.
Some friends might be cool with you dating their ex, but other friends may feel it's crossing the line. Here are some potential red flags to consider if you're trying to decide whether or not dating someone your friend has dated is a good idea.
Your friend is still struggling with the breakup.
Whether the relationship went down in flames or if two people who truly loved each other realized that things just weren't going to work out, most breakups can be tough. And some can be worse than others.
If your friend is still reeling over their split, it's best to be there for them — not move on to their ex yourself.
"If your friend isn't over it and is still actively requiring your support, it's not very ethical to go in," Brandy Engler, Ph.D., author of "The Women on My Couch," told Women's Health.
Your friend didn't give you permission.
Before dating a friend's ex, you should have a conversation with your friend to see if they're OK with it. If they're not, it may be best to respect their wishes — or risk losing a relationship with them.
"Yes, there are exceptions, but in most cases, the friend will lie," relationship expert Karabo Libate told The Daily Sun. "They don't want to feel stupid, they really do want to be OK with it, or they want to try and avoid unnecessary drama."
So if your friend gives you permission to date their ex, be cautious and take it with a few grains of salt.
They can't stand to be around each other.
If your friend and their ex can't stand being around each other, it may mean they haven't gotten over the relationship or the relationship ended on a bad note.
It can be quite difficult to deal with your friends not liking your partner— especially if the partner is someone they used to date.
See the rest of the story at Business Insider