Whatever people may say, the friendship between the sexes is possible. After all, we are not primitive people, who are guided by their instincts and the harsh realities of evolution. We are granted with feelings, reason, and social norms of behavior. If you’re lucky enough to have a friend of the opposite sex, let this friendship happen, and in order to avoid dramas and the hopeless friend zone for one of you, have a look at the tips on how to prevent the situation from spinning out of control.
1. Be careful with words and actions
If you are in love with someone, you know what it’s like to talk and do something completely thoughtlessly, being controlled by your feelings. However, in a platonic relationship, such actions can baffle and confuse. As a result, you will feel like a fool or spoil your friendship with the guy whom you have so much in common with.
2. Set the boundaries of what is permitted
Having a male friend is a wonderful experience, but there can be a spark between the two of you that will catch fire quite unexpectedly. If you do not want to spoil the relationship with the person whose friendship you rely on, you both need to determine a certain limit of what is allowed. Someone thinks that it is completely natural and unromantic to watch a TV show embracing. Others know that manifestations of intimacy can lead to love, so the friend zone can hardly be avoided. In order not to develop a romantic attraction, determine what actions can be treated by the other person as manifestations of the feelings that are anything but friendly.
3. Respect your partner
You can be friends with a guy, even if you are married or in a serious relationship. In this case, do not allow yourself anything that you would not want your boyfriend to allow himself with his platonic friend. Show respect for both guys because your friend may feel like a backup option, and this definitely will not strengthen your friendship.
4. No touches
This question is very individual. For some people, it is perfectly normal to show tactile tenderness, not implying any romantic feelings, especially if you are both sensitive and unable to control your tenderness. The main thing is to know the limit – there are places and situations in which touches can be regarded as the first step to something bigger.
5. Nothing that resembles a date
Friendship implies special equality. This means that you are not a boyfriend and a girlfriend, so do not expect him to pay for you in a cafe, do not wear his T-shirt when you are at his place and do not organize common activities and leisure that would resemble a romantic date, except without sex. This is very important if you want to keep your platonic relationship with someone who, in your opinion, is trying to seduce you. Remain friendly and do not say yes to any suggestions that may sound like a welcoming action.
6. Do not manipulate
Men’s attention is extremely important for girls because the more interesting guys are nearby, the more options you have. But if you want to stay friends with someone, do not resort to manipulations based on the fact that you are great, and he is the sort of guy who cannot resist your charm. Do not reassure your self-esteem at the expense of your friend’s feelings, otherwise, you can lose him.
7. Do not treat him like a female friend
Platonic relations may seem interesting because you can allow yourself to be as natural as possible, there being no romance between you. This naturalness often leads to the fact that girls begin to treat their friends as if they were female friends. Remember that he is a man, which means you should not discuss the things that will make him feel uncomfortable. Respect his interests and look for a compromise, instead of treating him as you would normally treat a girl. Don’t do the things that are pointless for guys.
8. Do not count on feelings
This paragraph is useful not only for girls but also for men who have friendly relations with the opposite sex. The fact that you communicate so closely does not mean that one of you is in love. Guys want to win as many girls as possible, and girls like to be attractive to guys, but if you are friends, remember this and do not count on feelings, at least until they really appear.
9. Sexual tension is normal
The sexual tension between different-sex friends is quite natural. So be ready that either you or he can feel it over time. If you understand that this feeling comes only from you, leave it to yourself, and if you both want to maintain true friendship rather than create a friend zone, treat this excitement as something completely normal, but not fundamental.
10. Remember why this is a platonic relationship
Friendship, which is not a romantic relationship, is like having a brother. You can communicate, support each other, have fun and learn a lot from each other. This relationship is devoid of drama and suffering, therefore, if you doubt, remember this and continue to strengthen your friendship and not a potential romance.