Men and women: friends only?

Viewing 15 posts - 1 through 15 (of 27 total)
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  • #5814

    C.M.T.
    Member

    Is it possible for women and men to be just friends?

    User Detail :  

    Name : C.M.T., Gender : F, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : Hispanic/Latino (may be any race), Religion : Christian, Age : 20, City : Spokane, State : WA, Country : United States, Occupation : student/military, Education level : 2 Years of College, Social class : Middle class, 
    #19566

    Deb
    Participant

    I grew up with 4 older brothers, so I always felt more comfortable with guys as friends. Most of my close friends are male. We have never had any tension when it came to opposite-sex friendship. I could talk about my relationships, and they could talk about theirs without any jealousy or attraction messing up our friendship. I do believe this is a personal thing for many people though. I enjoy guys company more than girls. And guys seem to enjoy my company. But it doesn’t mean either of us have any intention of going any further.

    User Detail :  

    Name : Deb, Gender : F, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Religion : Christian, Age : 23, City : Syracuse, State : NY, Country : United States, Occupation : clerical, Education level : 4 Years of College, Social class : Middle class, 
    #41929

    Heather21465
    Participant

    Three of my best friends from high school and college are male. The basis for our friendships is respect & (platonic) caring for each other. I say that and it sounds so serious, but understand that we still goof around, pick on each other, and do what normal friends do. It just so happens that they are male and I am female. I will say, however, that they have acted on occasion as ‘older brothers’ even though we’re all the same age. I’m now married, and my husband is good friends with those 3. It’s never been an issue of jealousy on his part. We’ve both got male and female friends at work and socially, and it’s not been a problem. I think it’s only an problem when you make it one.

    User Detail :  

    Name : Heather21465, Gender : F, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : White/Caucasian, Religion : Christian, Age : 27, City : Cincinnati, State : OH, Country : United States, Occupation : Engineer, Education level : 4 Years of College, Social class : Upper middle class, 
    #34482

    Claudia31967
    Participant

    Yes, I think it’s very possible to just be friends with a member of the opposite sex. Take gay and straight friends, I highly doubt most people want an intimate relationship with someone that doesn’t find the opposite sex attractive.

    User Detail :  

    Name : Claudia31967, Gender : F, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : White/Caucasian, Religion : Agnostic, Age : 18, City : Iowa City, State : IA, Country : United States, Occupation : Student, Education level : High School Diploma, Social class : Upper class, 
    #18750

    Matt22018
    Participant

    It is absolutely posible for a man and a woman to be friends as long as the platonic relationship is absolutely clear to the involved people. but as far as my experience goes, at some point of time, either one of the two or both may want to take the relationship to the next level….

    User Detail :  

    Name : Matt22018, City : Huntsville, State : NA, Country : United States, 
    #15452

    Tonya
    Participant

    I believe that men and women can be ‘just friends’ as long as there is no relationship history behind it. I’m not saying that there can never be a friendship after a relationship either, but in my past experiences it can be difficult because of past feelings/memories. Once a man and woman cross the friendship line, it’s very hard to go back without feeling awkward and uneasy at times.

    User Detail :  

    Name : Tonya, Gender : F, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : Hispanic/Latino (may be any race), Age : 23, City : Dallas, State : TX, Country : United States, Occupation : college student, Education level : 2 Years of College, Social class : Middle class, 
    #37485

    Bambie23461
    Participant

    It’s very possible. I have had many ‘male friends’ over the years and value them just as much as my girlfriends. Having a male friend gives you better insight into the male perspective. Although men and women think differently, we do bring a sense of balance to each other’s lives.

    User Detail :  

    Name : Bambie23461, Gender : F, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : Native American/African American, Religion : Baptist, Age : 34, City : Raleigh, State : NC, Country : United States, Occupation : Pharmeceuticals, Education level : Over 4 Years of College, Social class : Middle class, 
    #40748

    Fatima
    Participant

    Im married and have male friends…yes you can have men friends as long as you both have the understanding that you are just friends and it can’t go any further than just friends.

    User Detail :  

    Name : Fatima, Gender : F, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : Black/African American, Religion : Pentecostal, Age : 24, City : Twinsburg, State : OH, Country : United States, Education level : High School Diploma, Social class : Middle class, 
    #34634

    CR19190
    Participant

    I do not think it is possible. At some point, one member of the friendship may start to look at the other sexually. I guess they can just ‘be friends’ if they don’t act on this feeling, or vocalize it. But I think it is impossible if you are straight to not have one of the people catch feelings for the other.

    User Detail :  

    Name : CR19190, Gender : F, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Religion : Baptist, City : Cleveland, State : OH, Country : United States, Occupation : college student, Social class : Upper middle class, 
    #32337

    KH
    Participant

    I think that on the whole, women and men cannot be friends and mutually see each other as only friends, because one side is always interested in being more than just friends. More often than not, the two become friends because one side is somewhat/subconsciously attracted to the other. Speaking as a man, I severely doubt that any man with an extremely attractive female friend desires only friendship. We approach and befriend women because we like something about them, i.e. personality, physical attribute, etc. Now of course there are exceptions to every rule. In the rare cases in which women and men can truly be just friends, both sides must have no interest or physical attraction to each other whatsoever. Then there’s no question whether either side wants to take the friendship to the next level.

    User Detail :  

    Name : KH, Gender : M, Age : 25, City : Los Angeles, State : CA, Country : United States, Education level : Over 4 Years of College, Social class : Middle class, 
    #43890

    Amanda H.
    Participant

    I am female and my best friend is a male, and sex issues don’t come up, except as jokes. But that might be because my friend is gay.

    User Detail :  

    Name : Amanda H., Gender : F, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : White/Caucasian, Religion : Wiccan, Age : 23, City : baltimore, State : MD, Country : United States, Occupation : Mom, Education level : 2 Years of College, Social class : Middle class, 
    #44658

    Niqualyn
    Participant

    It is actually more normal than most people think. I have quite a few female friends because I am a very sociable person. I have found that not all people of the opposite sex who say they want to be friends are honest, but some are genuine and just enjoy having an opposite point of view.

    User Detail :  

    Name : Niqualyn, Gender : M, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : Black/African American, Age : 20, City : Dallas, State : TX, Country : United States, Occupation : Student, Social class : Upper middle class, 
    #24208

    M.
    Participant

    Only if one or both are gay. I used to believe it was possible, but it just does not seem to be. There is always that tension in the air.

    User Detail :  

    Name : M., Gender : F, Race : White/Caucasian, City : Agawam, State : MA, Country : United States, Social class : Lower middle class, 
    #34449

    Rick29776
    Participant

    Of course. Do you think married couples all practice spouse-swapping? Do you think there are no gay men with lesbian friends?

    User Detail :  

    Name : Rick29776, Gender : M, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : White/Caucasian, Religion : Atheist, City : Springfield, State : OH, Country : United States, Education level : Over 4 Years of College, Social class : Middle class, 
    #40853

    D.G.S.
    Member

    I work with a predominantly female staff and have become close friends with my co-workers. The friendships haven’t gone beyond that because we’re on the same level of understanding that we’re just friends. I haven’t thought about trying to start a relationship with one of my co-workers. Don’t get me wrong, there are many attractive women, but I know when not to cross that fine line.

    User Detail :  

    Name : D.G.S., Gender : M, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : Black/African American, Age : 31, City : Pembroke Pines, State : FL, Country : United States, Occupation : Teacher, Education level : Over 4 Years of College, Social class : Middle class, 
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