"We hated her."

It's probably happened to you.

In a breakup's aftermath, you share your brokenhearted emotions with the same friends who once raved about your former love interest.

Their response? "Oh well. We hated him, anyway."

Huh?

You're baffled. If your friends really despised your significant other, why didn't they say something earlier? Should you take their comments seriously, or are your friends just lying to make you feel better?

Sigh. Both scenarios could be true.

I've never understood friends' affinity for excessive ex-bashing after a breakup. It's one thing if the heartbroken person is a willing participant.

If that's not the case, your ex-bashing commonly translates into, "We hate your ex AND you have bad romantic judgment."

It's disheartening to hear your friends' true feelings about your love interest after a breakup.

But as friends, we're rarely completely candid about those judgments during a relationship.

We know you're too smitten to take our concerns seriously.