The Break-Up… and where not to do it in Chicago

The movie The Break-Up starring Vince Vaughn and Jennifer Aniston was filmed in Chicago.

I actually used to live down the street from the Fireside Bowling Alley where the infamous bowling team scene takes place.

It’s actually a common sight to see. Being a town full of the young and the restless, it’s inevitable you’ll find a couple breaking up somewhere.

My good friend Lyndsay Rush is an aspiring writer, blogger and one of my favorite Twitterers… and on page four of today’s RedEye shares the Breakup spots to avoid in Chicago.

Timely advice for all of us…

I saw someone get dumped the other night.

It was a tragic scene. She was in tears; he was all “I just don’t think I can do it anymore,” and the waiter was awkwardly hovering, unsure whether to bring Kleenex, refills or the check.

As I gawked at the train wreck before me, I thought to myself, “Man, getting dumped sucks.”

Then I thought, “Wow, there’s an original statement.”

Then I thought, “Is this considered talking to myself?”

But I digress.

While a breakup is a horrible experience regardless of the locale, there are certain spots that would make being dumped exponentially worse.

I began a quest to determine the worst possible places in Chicago to break up with someone or to be broken up with. I know, I know. It’s a bit of a downer. But it’s for your own good.

I began to ask around. I started with my roommates, who are both in relationships. They both laughed and thanked me for such an upbeat question to start their mornings. They clearly were not going to be of any help.

I then asked one of my guy friends whom I used to briefly date. His response? “Flat Top Grill.” Which was where I dumped him last summer. Whoops!

I then turned to Twitter.

Through some golden suggestions as well as some research of my own, here’s my version of the 10 worst places to get dumped in Chicago–along with a little commentary from me. No need to thank me.

• Anywhere at Navy Pier: I went to Navy Pier and all I got was this broken heart.

• While on the Untouchables Tour: One minute you’re learning about John Dillinger and the next minute, BOOM, you’re dumped.

• On a pedicab: Now featuring reduced fares for singles.

• At the Wiener’s Circle: Nothing says dumped like a chocolate milkshake.

• In line at the Hangge Uppe: Frankly a bad place for anything to happen.

• At a poetry slam: Not unless you could channel your heartbreak into a kick-ass poetic masterpiece.

• Right before the Purple Line goes express to Linden: $2.25 buys you 20 minutes of awkward silence.

• On the kiss cam at a Bulls game: Almost worse than when they accidentally frame a brother and sister on camera.

• After a tandem bike ride to Evanston for ice cream: You better believe I’d make him peddle the whole way back.

• During seventh-inning stretch at Wrigley: Take me out to the ball game, take me out of your life.

via

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