The age-old question: can men and women be friends?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No.

One is always trying to keep things kosher and arms length and the other is gaming.

Both gaming, then game over

OP here. Right.

People in relationships: Be honest with me. Would you be ok with your SO going out alone with a member of the opposite sex (assuming, again, we're talking about heterosexual relationships comprised of straight people)? Even if your relationship is strong, would you honestly be ok with that?

I think I have a strong marriage, but there's a big difference in my mind between my husband saying, "I'm going out for a beer with Jim after work" and "I'm going out for a beer with Linda." Call me insecure, but it's the truth.

[Anonymous]

You’re insecure. My husband and I have both gotten drinks with opposite sex friends. It’s not a big deal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You’re insecure. My husband and I have both gotten drinks with opposite sex friends. It’s not a big deal.

What if it became a regular thing and your husband counted that woman among his closest friends? Maybe you're honestly ok with it, but I would argue you're in the minority.

[Anonymous]

My DH has two close female friends he’s known for decades. I am Ok and even suggest he meets with them (separately as they are not friends) for coffee or drinks. I get on well with them too We are all married with teens.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My DH has two close female friends he’s known for decades. I am Ok and even suggest he meets with them (separately as they are not friends) for coffee or drinks. I get on well with them too We are all married with teens.

Would you be ok with a new female friend he started spending time with one-on-one?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No.

One is always trying to keep things kosher and arms length and the other is gaming.

Both gaming, then game over

OP here. Right.

People in relationships: Be honest with me. Would you be ok with your SO going out alone with a member of the opposite sex (assuming, again, we're talking about heterosexual relationships comprised of straight people)? Even if your relationship is strong, would you honestly be ok with that?

I think I have a strong marriage, but there's a big difference in my mind between my husband saying, "I'm going out for a beer with Jim after work" and "I'm going out for a beer with Linda." Call me insecure, but it's the truth.

NOPE, not okay with it.

[Anonymous]

Yes, they will be friends only if there is no physical attraction from both sides.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I had lots of good guy friends, but whenever they had a girlfriend or got married, they distanced themselves from me so wifey wouldn’t feel threatened.

Your probably one of those women who doesn't have female friends. Women are always threatened by your type.

[Anonymous]

I would say it depends.

I've had guy friends who have ended up hitting on me despite being in long term relationships.

I've had single/dating/married guy friends who have never even come close to seeing me as attractive, and we remain good friends.

Their girlfriends/wives have been fine with them going on trips, getting drinks, going to various events, just generally being alone with me.

[Anonymous]

Any woman that I have been close friends with sooner or later ends up drinking too much and trying to kiss me

[Anonymous]

Of course

This is a juvenile question.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No.

One is always trying to keep things kosher and arms length and the other is gaming.

Both gaming, then game over

OP here. Right.

People in relationships: Be honest with me. Would you be ok with your SO going out alone with a member of the opposite sex (assuming, again, we're talking about heterosexual relationships comprised of straight people)? Even if your relationship is strong, would you honestly be ok with that?

I think I have a strong marriage, but there's a big difference in my mind between my husband saying, "I'm going out for a beer with Jim after work" and "I'm going out for a beer with Linda." Call me insecure, but it's the truth.

Yes. My husband meets up with female colleagues from time to time. Usually lunch meetings. He does with his male colleagues much more. Am I just supposed to say no, you can't see so and so?

None of them are super attractive women though, so there's that.

[Anonymous]

It's only a problem for beautiful people

If you're not beautiful, chances are 9/10 that your friends are not secretly dying to sleep with you such that it would ruin the friendship.

[Anonymous]

Only emotionally evolved people can do this.

People who have a cro magnon state of emotional development can not.

It's not a knock on the less evolved, it's just explains why some people say absolutely not and other say absolutely you can be friends.

So some can and some can not.

[Anonymous]

Yes but it is a little different from female friends. The possibility means there has to be a bit of distance.

I am a big believer in not putting yourself in situations where anything could go wrong. So just an extra layer of separation there.