Note: Guys can "hoover" just as well as women can. When it boils down to it, it's only temporary, and it's only to fulfill their selfish need for validation. My BPD ex has tried to hoover me 3 times sense we've broken up, so I pretty much get an update whenever her current bf isn't doing it for her, or when she is in massive sprouts of depression. I never give in.
If you are trying to "hoover" an ex/old interest then you're probably not over her. Let's face it. If you could truly live your life without this person in it, then why do you feel such a strong need to talk to them? You still care.
In other cases, a guy feels he is over her but wants to "get back" at her so to speak. Nope. Why would you want to seek out revenge? Because you still care. You may try to rationalize to yourself that you just want to put her through the same type of pain that you went through.. well guess what, you wouldn't feel this way if you were truly detached.
I stand by my original statement. Getting in contact with these girls is bad news. It isn't going to turn out how you want it to. You can rationalize to yourself until your blue in the face that you just "want to be friends". Nah man. You can't live your life without her. You need to correct that sh!t and get your head straight.
-Scars