We all have certain things (music, movies, restaurants, etc.) that we associate with bad break-ups or failed relationships. Maybe it's the songs that make us leap for the radio dial, lest we turn into a
quivering ball of sadness and drive straight into a tree. Or, perhaps, the movies that we used to watch over and over again with our ex that are now banished to the bottom of our Netflix queue. (Sorry, Rushmore. It's just too hard.)
So I asked the GuySpeakers--and Lemondrop's Emily Gordon--for the music, movies, TV shows, foods, etc. that messy break-ups and broken hearts have rendered too painful to enjoy. Turns out, break-ups ruined some really great stuff for all of us. (The Wire? Even quality TV isn't safe from heartbreak.)
Perhaps, as Emily says, it is best to only eat, watch, and listen to the worst possible stuff until you know that the relationship is real. But, since no human can subsist entirely on a diet of KFC Double Downs, The Marriage Ref, and Ke$ha, there is bound to be some quality pop culture (and tasty foods) that we will forever associate with heartache.
Take a look at our lists below, and share your "break-up boycotts" in the comments.
Girl's BFF says:
The Verve - "Bittersweet Symphony." One of my exes used to PLAY THAT SONG OUT. Doesn't hurt my soul, but I do hate it now. LOL.
Lemondrop's Emily Gordon says:
Pink Floyd
Guy Ritchie movies
Postal Service's "Nothing Better"
Battlestar Galactica
Burger King
Chic Geek says:
"Trouble" - Coldplay
Six Feet Under
"Elevator Love Letter" - Stars
"Immigrant Song" - Led Zeppelin. (This was on the radio when someone gave me the "we should just be friends" speech. Sorry, Zep!)
Wise Ass says:
"It's A Motherfucker" - Eels
"Shiny Happy People" - REM
"Kiss My Ass" - The Mr. T Experience
Oh, and the Moon.
Chic Geek: As in, the one that comes out at night, or The Who drummer Keith Moon?
Wise Ass: Reverend Moon.
Funny Guy says:
I've never broken up with anyone, so not sure I'm much use here. I'm married to the girl I went on my first date with. Although I did give a girl I fancied a ceramic dragon's head, and she never dated me or gave it back. So now I avoid...ceramic dragon's heads? I don't really though, because come on, what's life without ceramic dragons in it?
Reformed Player says:
Anything Weezer ever wrote, has written, and will write.
Dove soap
Chicken Vindaloo
The Wire
Gal Pal says:
"Push It" by Salt-n-Pepa -- I was an incredibly uptight, nerdy 6th grader, but when this song came on someone's boombox after school, I stood mesmerized, watching my crush Jimmy Fletcher synchronize skateboard to it. I was so enraptured that I forgot to walk my little sister home from school, got in big trouble with my parents and then Jimmy would barely slowdance with me at my first boy-girl party later that weekend. He pushed it real good with someone else.
"The Secret" -- as a JOKE, I told an ex-boyfriend that's what I wanted for my birthday. He thought I was serious, wrapped it up and gave it to me with all sincerity. Cringe.
Hugo Boss clothing and stores.
Chicago. The whole damn city. Sorry, Chicagoans, I quit you.
Special thanks to Emily Gordon for inspiration!
anything pumpkin flavored
Bjork
Guns n Roses
Aqua di Gio cologne (I could never date another guy who wears it)
Oasis - "Wonderwall"
Amoeba (record store in LA)
In N Out
Bossa Nova
Maui Chicken or Hawaiian BBQ altogether.
None of these things/places/songs are totally boycotted, but have been seriously cut back on.
Amoeba and In N Out??? Those are like two of the greatest things LA has to offer!
I don't think I could give up In N Out, even if I was crying the entire time while devouring my Animal style Double Double.
Oh no, I still joyously consume In N Out's tasty treats, just not as often as before. Going to Amoeba still irks me a tad, but a Metric cd for 5 bucks. COME ON. No break up will completely keep me away from that place.
I typically give up food. I'm off quiche for one guy and chilli for another. I love quiche...
I will never play the kids game punch buggy with anyone ever again. My ex, who I was with for 6 yrs, and I played it religiously for the entirety of our relationship no matter what was going on.
As for music...I tend to listen to the music more
There's this awful Canadian singer from the 80's named Gowan, as a joke we decided to make his music "our" songs whenever they came on the radio. He'd text me if we weren't together to tell me when they came on...no more Gowan for me. Something horribly cheesy is now horribly cheesy and sad. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Elbpw3d2qEk
Another guy sang to me on our second date, he was a trained musician and as we were walking in the snow he sang a song by the Canadian band Great Big Sea (not originally) called 'I'm a Rover'
You're kidding right? Gowan awful??? He's amazing! Still love everything he's ever done solo and now that he's with Styx, WOW!
I hope get to be like you, Michael. So far, I am :)
RENT- I used to really love the stage version and the movie, but now it reminds me of my ex too much.
Cuba. one ex was from and took me too and i hated it
Blackberry Pearls. one ex had one and was SOOO secretive with it i hate it whenever i see them.
Scene it. one ex played it sooo much.
Rugby. one ex was OBSESSSSSSED to the point of extreme annoyance.
Facebook. it brings up issues and continually brings me to peoples profiles i cannot stand because of one relationship.
Audi's. one ex drove this and thought he was the shit yet it was such an old one.
Chicken wings. He LOVED them, every time we went out to eat that's all he would order... Now I can't stomach it the same way.
Transformers 2. Date movie. Saw it again with him and my family. It was a horrible movie.
Red Ford SUV's. I haven't seen my ex in months but that's the car he used to drive and since his Dad lives in the area, whenever I see one, I kinda just freak out a little inside.
Online forums. I have 3 ex's who loved using them... I grew out of it around 15, 16.
Hershey Store in Niagara Falls :(
This is cathartic.
Can't listen to these three songs yet: House of Cards by Radiohead (due to the affairs my ex husband had, just prior to and right after my mom died), The Song is Over by The Who (due to the recent divorce), and How Can I Help You Say Goodbye by Patty Loveless.
Grey Flannel cologne.
The mens section in a dept. store.
Old VW Beetle Bug cars - he used to restore them as a hobby from the time we first dated to long after we were married. Even after we had better cars to drive, I couldn't help but have a special fondness for them.
Wow, Michael. Would that I could be as unbitter as you...it's really cool, actually. I tip my hat to you and your dragon head, and I mean that in the nicest way.
Anyways...oh yes. My list.
1) Orange Tic-Tacs. Shudder. Reminds me of boyfriend #1. He told everyone I was easy to get back at me for not sleeping with him when I wasn't ready.
2) Semi-trucks. Don't ask.
3) The movies Blood In, Blood Out and Higher Learning. Geez. Can't even watch them anymore.
4) Anything by Fiona Apple.
5) The Sword in the Stone. My ex laughs just like that stupid owl.
6) Vampiric love-making. I can't believe I did that. Now vampires give me the shivers, and not in a good way.
7) Beef Chuck. Never going near it. Never again.
8) The trite phrase, "Well, we had fun, right?" Why don't you just shoot me instead; it would hurt a lot less. If I hear it again, I just might shoot myself.
9) Thanksgiving. The turkey isn't always the bird on the table.
10) The movie theater. Bitter, bitter memories.
Note: I'm not really bitter, despite the list. It's just that trouble finds me, no matter where I hide. Haha!
Pi cologne. Most recent ex wears that religiously.
"Green Eyes" makes me think of my ex that passed. It's sad and sweet at the same time.
It's too soon to know what else makes me sad.
**Movies**
1. Boondock Saints
2. Smokin' Aces
3. Snatch
**Songs**
1. Anything by Stain'd
2. Anything by 10 Years
**Randoms**
1. Blue Toyota Corolla's (my ex's gf drives one)
2. Celtic Crusifixes
3. Halo
I don't know if this counts as pop culture but ..
The whatever air freshener brand he used in his apartment.
Once in while, the scent will come back to mind and I'll just lose it.
I will cringe, howl in despair as the memory of the time we spent his apartment floods my memory.
Anything Broadway, all harry potter movies, the city of Minneapolis, and sex in the shower. Along with chipotle and meat in general
Anything that has to do with Broadway, all paranormal movies or tv shows, metallica, baseball/football, frenchtoast, shower sex and handcuffs.
1. The TV show "Angel" (Not that that has made an attempted comeback...)
2. "Iris" by the Goo Goo Dolls (11 years ago and still can't stand it)
3. The movie "Castaway" (basically got kiss-raped in the theater at 13 and have never fully recovered.)
WTF is vampiric love-making?
You guys sure you want to know? It's a little twisted. And, mind you, this is before Twilight came out.
Elise, that's what I was wondering!!
Holland and everything Dutch
Christmas
I am in the strange position of being hyper-exposed to my Guy friends music which is all about his ex but has been played during OUR most sacred private times.
Except when I have appeared in songs!!
Country music
The Big Lebowski
Chasing Cars--Snow Patrol
Great Big Sea
Pickup trucks
Bacon
Those are all my broken hearts right there.
What a lovely day for a 3384262! SCK was here
What a lovely day for a 629507! SCK was here
I think this is among the most significant information for me. And i'm glad reading your article. But want to remark on few general things, The web site style is wonderful, the articles is really great : D. Good job, cheers
I am always looking online for tips that can help me. Thank you!
1.The post is written in very a good manner and it entails many useful information for me. I am happy to find your distinguished way of writing the post. Now you make it easy for me to understand and implement the concept.
I have to say that for the last couple of hours i have been hooked by the impressive posts on this website. Keep up the wonderful work.