+1 especially for the finger-and-thumb suggestion (or some other visual gesture, if finger-and-thumb has any inappropriate connotations): that’s a very nice way to clearly describe what you want without sounding pedantic. — Peter LeFanu Lumsdaine 1 min ago

You might like to check out these somewhat related questions: 1, 2 — IceC 1 min ago

@EmC Hm... I'm not sure I agree that that comparison warrants this answer, but I suppose that's subjective. Regardless, I still think this answer stands to be improved with more advice on what to do, rather than a specific thing to avoid — Lord Farquaad 1 min ago

Everyone should remember that @YCN- did answer my question, not the best answer but an actual answer whether you agree with or not, there is no reason to downvote, so anyone downvoting is making display of their motives, not reasons. — J A 1 min ago

@YCN- who's being unreasonably downvoted tried to offer a similar answer with a different strategy, only he was not as tactful and his wording sounds a tad confrontational, but he did answer the question. You on the other hand have offered the best answer yet. Though you are not taking into account the "group" element. After countering with one of the arguments you propose, I suspect there will be a response, it could be silence or an attack or dismissal or an apology or I don't know what to expect, do you have any experience or anecdotes, how could I follow without getting to a confrontation? — J A 10 secs ago

I'm voting to close this question as off-topic because this is more of a "what should I do" question. If it were more of a "how do I respond to ex in a way that convinces them not to contact me", that would be more of an IPS question. — baldPrussian 45 secs ago