http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/AmicableExes



Shouting till you're hoarse together,

Getting a divorce together,

That make perfect relationships." Company (Sondheim), "The Little Things You Do Together" , "The Little Things You Do Together" "It's things like using force together,Shouting till you're hoarse together,Getting a divorce together,That make perfect relationships."

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So, people who break up must indefinitely hate each other, right?

Wrong. Increasingly common in media are situations where a divorced couple still get along for the most part, and in many cases still care about each other even though they're no longer together. In many cases the divorce happened because of distance, circumstance or the simple fact that people change rather than infidelity, betrayal or other serious problems, and the fact that they got divorced is treated as a fact of life rather than due to a flaw in the people. Both parties also generally agree that it was for the best for both of them. It's also pretty common for couples who broke up because of Incompatible Orientation or who were each other's Last Het Romance to end up this way.

If there are children from the marriage they are shared without much complaint, and the amicability of the parents can often be interpreted as being partly for their sake. As such, this tends to show up in children's cartoons, perhaps as an attempt to counter the stereotype of the children of divorced parents being largely unhappy. May involve a Visit by Divorced Dad that will usually go well, and for the most part any Divorce Assets Conflicts are avoided or settled reasonably.

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The increase in this trope can be attributed in the dramatic shift in divorce rates and public perception of those who have gone through with divorces in the last 50 years (i.e. between the 1950s and the start of the 21st century). While divorce used to be scandalous, it's now a fairly common occurrence, and this trope reflects the view that it's just a fact of life that doesn't have to permanently poison a relationship. Sometimes it even results in Divorce Is Temporary, though this is less common in more realistic works and those aimed at children due to an unrealistic message ("wish hard enough and your parents will get back together!").

This can apply to non-divorced former couples as well, thus the name. If someone's current and former squeeze get along well with each other, it's The Missus and the Ex.

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Compare Working with the Ex and Sex with the Ex. No, this is not about friendly .exe files.

Examples:

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Anime and Manga

Comic Books

Fan Works

Film

Literature

Live-Action TV

Music

Adele's song "Send My Love (To Your New Lover)" is about moving into this after a rough breakup and ultimately deciding to forgive and move on with their lives. It also has her sending good wishes and blessings to his new relationship.

Belly has song "Suffer the Fools", in which Tanya Donelly sings about dividing property with a partner ("You keep my key and my lazy letters/I'll keep the angel that you bought to watch over me") and moving apart, but still hanging out together ("I'll bring that terrible wine you love").

Gwen Stefani's song "Cool", which was inspired by her ex from No Doubt. Notably this was written several years after No Doubt's groundbreaking album Tragic Kingdom, which was about the polar opposite of this trope.

P!nk's song "So What" is a subversion of this trope. While the song is about a harsh breakup full of revenge and bitterness, she and Carey Hart did get back together after some marriage counseling.

"Every Other Weekend" by Reba McEntire and Kenny Chesney (or Skip Ewing) is about two exes who are sharing custody of their children, but still having feelings for each other — feelings that they can't share in the children's presence.

Radio

In New Dynamic English, Kathy received a phone call from her ex-husband to remarry again. Her response? She refused his offer, and said that he cares about him but not necessarily love him, and maybe even become friends.

Theater

This trope is the basis for a scene in CompanySondheim: Robert: You mean you two are not married now?

Susan: Well, not since the divorce.

Robert: Then where are you living now, Peter?

Peter: Why, here at home. I mean, I've got responsibilities. I've got Susan and the kids to take care of. I certainly would never leave them.

Robert: So, are you two considering getting married again?

Susan: Married? Oh, no, we tried that, thank you very much.

Henry and Charlotte in Tom Stoppard's The Real Thing. Though they divorce after Henry's affair with Annie is exposed, by the second act (two years later), Henry and Charlotte are on friendly terms. They trade witticisms and discuss both their daughter's impending departure as well as their respective relationships. By the end of the scene, Charlotte slyly offers sex (which Henry declines): Charlotte: You don't fancy one for the road?

Henry: No, really.

Charlotte: Or a drink?

Henry: (Smiles) No offense.

The Mrs. Hawking play series: It is revealed in Base Instruments that Nathaniel's wife Clara and his brother Justin have some sort of romantic history. They have both moved on from it, and Justin clearly wishes his brother and sister-in-law well, though they do still tease one another.

Toys

Barbie: Barbie and Ken broke up for a few years, however they stayed close friends nevertheless. Eventually, they got back together.

Video Games

Visual Novels

In My Magical Divorce Bureau, the marriages weren't mutually agreed in the first place, so the parties certainly aren't amicable towards each other when they come to you. If you manage to address the underlying failures of communication, however, they may be on better terms by the time the divorce is finalised. Indeed, the protagonist seems to see securing this outcome  not processing the divorce paperwork  as the proper function of the divorce bureau.

Backstage Pass: John and Lloyd , who are still working together rather splendidly.

Web Original

Jon Sims and Georgie Barker. They're apparently such good friends Jon even stays at her place in season two, when he's both in hiding and at the height of his paranoia, suggesting she's the person he trusts the most, and she's willing to let him stay for weeks no questions asked.

Webcomics

Western Animation