The Break-Up Rules

As Charlotte York once quoted, "it takes half the amount of time you dated someone to get over them."

There continues to be an ever so quickly growing list of the do's and don'ts of break-up steps to get over the person whom you once shared an intimate relationship with...

• Get rid of all pictures together
• Delete their number from your phone
• Hide presents they gave you
• Get drunk with friends on would-be anniversary

All of the above are little tricks and tips handed down from woman to woman trying to get over and stop wanting to get under an ex.

These "rules" - if you will - all pertain to one’s personal benefit. But what about the other rules? The do’s, the don’ts and the politics of the break apart from a person.

For instance….

When is okay to ask them for your movies back?

“Hey, I’m sorry for breaking your heart, but can I have my Back to the Future DVDs back?”

How about when you can give them back their stuff?

Is dropping old shirts, movies, hairbrushes, and cell phone cases in the mailbox bad taste?

How about birthdays and holidays?

Is wishing them a happy birthday or Merry Christmas leading them on?

How weird is it that at one point in time two people were totally in sync, totally in love, totally comfortable, totally natural with one another and suddenly there are questions upon questions on the proper way to communicate – or if to, at that.