I know, you’re free and independent and hell, you even like going to museums by yourself. But if you run into your ex here, he will not be alone and it will be awkward as you could ever imagine. So grab a girlfriend – or at least a girly friend – before you venture up the 405 for the landscape porn that is a trip to the Getty.

Both of you are at the gym for the same reason: to attract someone hotter than the person you just dumped/were dumped by. Still, this 24 Hour Fitness has more hot people than most area codes, so it might be hard to watch him watch. Turn up the ipod and the speed on the Stairmaster and soon you and your buns of steel won’t even remember his name.

No one goes to this wannabe hip coffee shop unless they are on an internet date or scoping out freelancing hotties (like yours truly). So one way or another, running into him here means he’s over you. This time just get your latte and move on. For next time, consider upgrading at Insomnia, Groundwork or even – gasp – Starbucks. And don’t even think about going skim for his benefit. As a matter of fact, why don’t you get some cake too?

Your ex-boyfriend inevitably had no money and no job when you dated him, so when you run into him hobnobbing it with Bijou and Britney at this uber-cool (and pricey!) sushi joint, it stings more than a little. Down some sake and sidle up to the bar to make eyes at the producer to your right. No go? How about the one on your left?

Finding your ex at a gay bar might seem devastating at first (even if it’s Akbar, which is fun times for gay and straight alike), but why not look on the bright side: new shopping partner!