Can men and women be friends?

catmiaow

Bogof_Babe wrote: »

What does "being friends" involve? If you get along okay with someone, then you ARE friends. What more do you want?

Sharing experiences and life stories, like days out, evenings in, group outings whatever.

catmiaow

Torry_Quine wrote: »

Are you really saying that given the opportunity all men will be unfaithful! That's just not so. Even if someone behaved that way he wouldn't be interested.

Friendships are not gender specific or shouldn't be.

I agree there.

catmiaow

Bogof_Babe wrote: »

And none of your female friends do either? What on earth are these "things"?

Watching films, looking at castles, going to pubs. Yes some of my friends like those things but those ones live hundreds of miles away so it isn't that easy.

Bogof_Babe

Torry_Quine wrote: »

Are you really saying that given the opportunity all men will be unfaithful! That's just not so. Even if someone behaved that way he wouldn't be interested.

Friendships are not gender specific or shouldn't be.

That's what I used to think . Glad you have such great trust of your partner, and I hope he never lets you down.

There is such a thing as human nature, no-one is never even slightly tempted, or at least flattered, which can lead to unwise developments.

Bogof_Babe

catmiaow wrote: »

Sharing experiences and life stories, like days out, evenings in, group outings whatever.

I'm definitely hearing warning bells now. You need to be honest with yourself about your motives.

Group outings are fine, your husband can go too .

catmiaow

Bogof_Babe wrote: »

I'm definitely hearing warning bells now. You need to be honest with yourself about your motives.

Group outings are fine, your husband can go too .

No work nights out (group outings).

I am confused why are you hearing warning signs? I just want friendship.

*max*

catmiaow wrote: »

Sharing experiences and life stories, like days out, evenings in, group outings, body fluids... whatever.

Corrected that for ya.

Bogof_Babe

catmiaow wrote: »

No work nights out (group outings).

I am confused why are you hearing warning signs? I just want friendship.

Well why does it have to be this guy, the one you find attractive? Isn't there anyone else in your team who you could pal up with on a purely platonic basis, to do the things your OH isn't interested in?

I'm hearing warning signs because frankly my dear, I've got the teeshirt.

Read a book called NOT "Just Friends" if you want further explanation.

Torry_Quine

Bogof_Babe wrote: »

That's what I used to think . Glad you have such great trust of your partner, and I hope he never lets you down.

There is such a thing as human nature, no-one is never even slightly tempted, or at least flattered, which can lead to unwise developments.

Of course there's human nature and I didn't say my husband wouldn't be tempted, we all face temptations. If someone wants to stray there are many ways to meet someone, for instance many of his work colleagues are female.

Pollycat

catmiaow wrote: »

In my past experience I haven't been able to have a friendship with a straight male, it usually ends with them cutting me off because I have a partner or trying to take things further.

I have had some long term friendships with gay men, but can you have them with straight men?

I met a guy at work who I find attractive (he doesn't know this) and we have sort of started a friendship, but i am a bit worried about continuing as I don't want things to get awkward at work.

What do others think?

I think the bit in bold is key.
As a female I have lots of male friends but I don't find any of them attractive.
I think you're confusing friendship with attraction.