Ash Pollard: Surviving an awkward run in with your ex

Ash Pollard is best known as one of Australia’s most gifted home cooks. But underneath those signature spiral blonde curls, the television personality and radio-host has a noggin full of knowledge that she’ll be sharing exclusively with Be.

For the last 12 weeks she’s been sharing her top tips on how to tackle life’s trickiest situations — from how to get your fitness back on track without giving up, to surviving a dreaded social media slip-up.

This week, she’s telling us how to survive an awkward run in with your ex.

I’m not even kidding, I bump into an ex at least once a fortnight. How’s my luck though?!

Initially, I totally struggled with the situation. I'd feel so sick and then clam up like I was about to have a heart attack. It definitely ruined my whole day. After the brief encounter was over, I'd be completely paranoid and for the silliest of things too.

I'd be overthinking the situation, wondering if what I had said was appropriate, if I looked okay, what he was up to etc.

Of course, I couldn't go on like that. Like seriously, Ash, who even cares!!! We all experience it, you’re very lucky if you don’t!

Here's my tips to surviving the run in when it happens.

DO keep you cool. Take a deep breath, reassure yourself that cool, calm and collected is the way to go because there is nothing more awkward than getting flustered and asking questions you really don’t want to know the answer to.

Reality is, you don’t want to know or care. Haha! Just stick to the general 'hi, how are you?’ to keep on top of things.

DON’T go in for a big bear hug, unless you’re totally all cool. Try to acknowledge their presence without the possibility of physical contact.

DO admit, if you want, that perhaps the run-in is a little awkward. If that’s the kinda person you are, then he'll understand that.

DON’T get intoxicated. If you happen to be at the same bar or pub for a few hours and he hasn’t noticed you yet don’t you DARE start chugging back the vinos… As if anything good ever came from intoxication. Keeping your dignity intact here is the main game.

DO keep it short and sweet. Don’t act like you’re too cool but also don’t seem like you’re super keen to know all about whats going on post break-up. And definitely
don’t do the old, ‘OMG I’VE NEVER BEEN BETTER, LOVING LIFE’ scenario. People can see straight through it.

DON’T bring up the past. What’s done is done and no one wants to be reminded. No, ‘why didn’t you call’, questions, you’re in public and you don’t want to make those around you feel uneasy. Definitely don't start a full on D&M.

DO look like an absolute minx though! I guess in some ways you really can't help this if the run-in wasn’t planned. If you’re in your active wear don’t stress, OWN IT and NEVER apologise for your appearance it only makes you look insecure.

DON’T look back. Once you’ve had the convo, be done with it. As he walks away don’t you dare look back. Close the chapter and move on with those awesome friends you’re hanging out with or perhaps even the continue chatting with the new date you’re on. Hahahaha, can you imagine!

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