Home | New Members | Expert Answers | How To Videos | Our Blog | Sign Up | Sign In
Invite Friends
 
GirlsAskGuys.com GirlsAskGuys.com
  Chat Flirting Dating Relationships Sexuality Break-Up Behavior Style Other
Home > Articles > Behavior Articles > Men, Stop Pretending To Want Friendship If You...
A-R-Norman
Written By A-R-Norman

Men, Stop Pretending To Want Friendship If You Want More!

 
Average Rating: Rate Article:  
MiserableBoringEnjoyableInterestingFascinating
 
Posted More than a year ago Views 1994 Comments 32 Category Behavior
I encountered an article on good old GirlsAskGuys that frankly pissed me off a bit, and felt I had to counter respond.

The article seemed to indicate that if a guy is friends with a girl then she should automatically want to be with him, and if she doesn't, she is a stupid bitch who only wants jerks and should never, ever have a nice guy in her life.

To me, this juvenile and infantile response to not getting your way is one aspect of the male behaviors that has contributed to the ongoing battle of the sexes.

Yes, I know, we women share a huge portion of blame on that bloodied battlefield, but this rant falls squarely on the shoulders of my bewildered, misguided and embittered brothers.

To be honest, I am growing rather tired of hearing males whine about a scenario that is largely their fault to begin with!

It is the "I want to pretend to be a girls friend so she will want to be with me" game.

Already starting off on the wrong foot with lies and deception, you are doing yourself and your supposed friend a grave disservice by not revealing what you really want from her from the very beginning.

I for one, have had many enriching, platonic friendships of mutual respect and love that never went to the physical realms.

In fact, I think a true, real friendship between a man and a woman can be invaluable because it allows us to see things from the point of view of the opposite sex.

For instance, you can ask questions regarding male or female perspectives on dating from someone who will tell you the truth, no holds barred, because they care about you.

Friendship, REAL friendship, is as great a gift as romantic love, and shouldn't be cheapened as a means to an end or viewed as some sort of consolation prize to physical relations.

Besides, all you do is set yourself up for hurt and ruin when you pretend to be friends with a girl, and who loses out in the end?

Both of you.

Ask Your Question
Not a member? Sign up is free and easy. Get answers to your own questions.


You see, girls talk out their problems with their friends. If she views you as a friend, then of course she is going to call you when she has a fight with the boy friend, most times to get a male opinion on the event that took place.

Now, if you are listening, not with a genuine "I am your friend and I want to help,", but with a "If I do this she'll think I am a catch and want to be with me instead," then you are not being a friend, you are being manipulative, a person with a goal and an agenda.

And to those guys who dote on women with gifts and tokens of love when the girl is not interested or is with someone else, asshole of not, for the love of god--STOP!

Stop trying to win the affections of another through artificial means--real feelings cannot, and should not, be bought like some hallmark card. You can't force these things--true love blossoms over time.

Besides, you need to take the time to find out if the girl is really worthy of your time and attention.

If you waste your efforts on a conceited Buffy cheerleader type, whose fault is that?

Not hers--an animal will only behave as it in its nature to behave--you are the fool to pet a snake and expect not to get bitten.

And then, you get bit and want to blame the world and not yourself for trusting a snake in the first place.

Do we not understand it is the nature of snakes not to be trusted. Likewise, shallow hotties will use kindness, taking it for weakness -- therefore don't try to date them

Seems simple enough.

I for one have always hated when men attempted to try to buy me by throwing gifts at me.

I recall a time when a suitor chased me down with expensive trinkets. He was rich, but didn't seem to get the idea that I wasn't impressed by his money.

He kept coming around trying to push jewelery on me. I told him not to and he persisted. One day, to shut him up, I accepted a bracelet that cost quite a bit of money. I told him I would only accept it because I had plans to give it to the first person who showed interest in it.

A week later, I made good on my promise, giving it to a woman in my office.

If the man had truly wanted to get to know me or had truly seen who I was, he would discovered that I have an aversion to real jewelery, for principals sake. Far too many people have bled and died in diamonds mines, too many people killed over gold and fine jewels--I do not like real jewelery at all--I would have adored a five dollar trinket over all the jewels of the royal city.

I am also not a flowers and candy kind of girl, and to me, everyday should be Valentines day...

If he had taken the time, he would have learned that, but all he cared about was what he wanted--he never saw me. This is far too often the case with guys who try to win affections, then get mad at all women when their machinations don't work.

But, you say to yourself, if I tell the girl what I want outright, I may not have a shot.

True, but tell me, isn't it better to know outright and get it out of the way so you can move on? That way, you don't waste time energy or money on someone who won't appreciate it, or want it.

As it stands, by pretending to be a real friend to a girl, you betrayed your supposed friend and ultimately, you betrayed yourself.

Now, this of course, doesn't apply to men who genuinely cared about a woman as a friend and the feelings grew.

This is a no harm, no foul scenario that has to be treated with utmost delicacy and concern.

No, I am talking about men who use friendship in a cloak and dagger fashion in order to manipulate an outcome, then get all pissed off things didn't end the way they wanted them to.

I also find it interesting that the men who get pissed off that girls date "assholes" expect sympathy and concern went they chase after bitches and get used.

Oh yes, I forgot, only women should be blamed for bad relationship choices made for immature, shallow reasons, whereas men should be pet and coddled for being betrayed when they make choices in women for immature, shallow reasons.

Come on people, isn't it entirely possible that everyone, guy and girl alike, will make mistakes as they learn how to navigate adult relationships. They will all eventually grow into people who know what they want out of life and their partners, discerning what is truly important in relationships.

Besides which, if you are only trying to be kind and nice to a girl because you think you will get something out of it, are you really a nice person, or are you being manipulative?

And they say women play relationship games!

All I can say is that both men and women make blunders in romance, instead of getting all pissed off that you don't get your way, how about licking your wounds, learn from it, make better choices in the future and shoulder some of the blame for your own dumb choices yourself!

Comment on "Men, Stop Pretending To Want Friendship If You Want More!"


You have 500 characters left
Submit Comment
Email Friend  Email Friend
 Share on Facebook

Article Comments

 
lefthand I have seen this game played a lot of times and it is generally the same:
Pick a woman who is out of their league
attach themselves as a "friend"
ingratiate themselves
violently deny any sexual interest in the woman.
whine about how they are unappreciated
get really really pissy and viscous when the woman doesn't fall stupid in bed with them.

rinse, repeat

The interesting thing is that the woman never gets a choice about it. He decided she should love him. Her opinion shouldn't defy true love. - More than a year ago
A-R-Norman God bless you Lefthand--That is what I am trying to point out--then they get bitter and try to make all women pay for what was essentially their own mistake! We all make mistakes, lord knows I made my share--I just don't try to make all men, or all people pay, for them... - More than a year ago
lefthand I have little use for the "nice guys" who play this game because they are using social pressure to coerce people into sexual relationships they don't want. What is worse is that they are actually putting all the risk for the interaction on the woman. He doesn't ever have to so much ask her out (to bed) because a worthy woman will simply see his love for what it is.

It's cowardly and its not fair to the woman who either has to bed someone she doesn't want or be a bitch for rejected attention. - More than a year ago
A-R-Norman I know--and those same guys would run if some woman they were not attracted to tried to make them love them--I think the term is "psycho bitch"...but a guy can get to play the victim when he is essentially wrong for trying to force a situation that should occur naturally, after which he reveals his true nature by becoming a jerk. I am so blessed to have a true nice guy, my love for him grows every day...moral of the story: you can't force people to love you... - More than a year ago
Rafael151 Yes, nothing like paying for the mistakes and abuses on the part of the guys who came and went before you. Ouch! - More than a year ago
Rafael151 I'd be interested in reading the original post. It sounds like you must have a way to spot some of these imposters to the throne. I was in a position once of being the friend of a girl I had serious desires for. I had opportunities, but managed to keep to myself advice regarding what to do about her boyfriend, which would have been biased. But there she was, confiding in me things she would later say we should never reveal about "us". I think she was fishing. Later I was being discussed. - More than a year ago
A-R-Norman Rafael--I feel you brotha! I hate when anyone, guy or girl, makes some one else pay for the fact they picked a loser to love--why not just learn and make better choices... - More than a year ago
martyfellow Well, of course you are right in terms of deliberately deceiving people, but don't we ALWAYS want more really..it's just not in the cards due to our existing commitments...or life circumstances...so we aren't necessarily being deliberately deceptive here - More than a year ago
A-R-Norman I don't know Marty--I have wanted male friendships because I wanted to be their friend only--I paid my own way into things--bought my own meals--and they were rewarding relationships. I had no manipulations--if I had romantic interests-- I was upfront--I couldn't be any other way--maybe I am an anomoly...and if it is truly merely a matter of wanting more--why get so bitter about it --why can't you say "welp, that was a waste of time" and just move on...? - More than a year ago
Aristotles This must be an american custom. I'm not really aware of this intricate undercover manipulation games... Most of them are seen on movies or as urban legends or as paranoia where I come from. - More than a year ago
A-R-Norman Hun, I wish it was a delusion or a bit of imagination, but I have myself had men act all nice to me then turn into jerks 'cause I wouldn't sleep with them, an NO id didn't lead them on--I paid my own way--I treated them with love and respect but they were just trying to get laid and didn't care about me at all! Happens all the time... - More than a year ago
Little-Hippie This is a damn good article!

That is all. - More than a year ago
FaytedEclipse What happens if you already ARE friends with said women when you realize you love them?

Then there is no benifit to being straight about your relationship, because any further advance will lead to an inevitable "you're only a friend but you're a real nice guy" speech.

So you end up pretending to be content with friendship even though you want it to go further. I was hoping your article would be about that problem, not some mysterious "game" men play of which I seriously doubt exists. - More than a year ago
A-R-Norman Believe me hun--this game exists--I have heard many of my male friends talk about the games that they play to try to land girls into bed--the same thing for gold diggers who manipulate men for money--

I have also been privy tot he "I just want to be friends game" men toss out but all of sudden, when you ain't giving up the panties, it's no more friendship.

I think you can hear a ton of amens from chicks on this one.

- More than a year ago
Wolfman7493 Great article! The best girls I've ever dated have been my best friends at first. I just came out and did exactly what you said to do. - More than a year ago
cheerangelcharity I've often wondered if a guy is friends with me because he truly wants to be friends with me or if he wants more. I've probably misinterpreted both, but now I'm getting it more right. I've learned that if a guy I don't know that well yet goes out of his way to keep in contact with me - such as on myspace or texting or in person goes up to me to hug and chat a bit - then he probably sees me as more than a friend. I could be wrong, though, but this article makes me think that I'm probably right - More than a year ago
JustMe2008 Really good article. I liked it. This is the type of guy who are called nice guy. Nice guys are manipulative. A guy should be a good guy not a nice guy. Can you change the title to "Nice guy vs Good Guy" or "Why Nice guys finish last".
But I also think nice guys do it without any real agenda, It's like their second nature to be manupulative and buy affection by being a "Yes Man" or a "Doormat". They really don't understand that by being "nice" they are being manipulative. It's not intentional. - 10 months ago
NMMan Once again Ms. Norman speaks the truth - and I know the previous article that you're referring to which inspired your writing fury, lol. Well done, as always. - 10 months ago
PurpleSapphire What an outstanding article! I have encountered the "nice guy" a few times over the years so I can definitely relate. This article as well as those like it should be mandatory reading in junior and high schools. It would spare a lot of unnecessary hard feelings and bad behavior. - 9 months ago
A-R-Norman Wow--Just me--I can't belevie you are 24--what insight! Thanks hun *hugs!* - 8 months ago
IWANTWHATIWANT II have this goody two shoes type of guy pursuing me who seems to think that he is the only one appreciates me beyond the physical. Well, I actually think it is quite the opposite. I think that these nice guys are blowing smoke up my ass with their nice guy compliments, only fooling themselves. I suppose to him I am this unappreciative and deceived woman who doesn't like the nice guy! - 8 months ago
JL10940 Right on. I'm a guy, but you talk exactly the way I do about this stuff. People need to realize that it isn't a one-sided argument between genders. There is no superior gender, and the ignorant/frustrating actions of certain TYPES of each gender don't represent that ENTIRE gender. Just because there are lots of superficial bitches out there doesn't mean every girl is like that. And not every guy is a manipulative player out to con womankind. Well written, and Kudos! - 7 months ago
Takkunlee A lot of my guy "friends" have lost my friendship because they were getting to be a little too friendly and I'm happily taken. I don't put up with it and it p*sses me off because I get a long better with guys rather than girls. - 6 months ago
emergencyroom I'm just glad that I'm not strange for thinking like you do! All of my best friends are guys--no strings attached. They even set me up with my boyfriend! Having them helps so much with everything in my life, especially because being friends with girls is a little hard for me. They tend to get irritated when I accidentally reveal that I know their boyfriend/object of affection better than they do, and I've been accused of liking someone that I truly only am friends with. Go girl! - 6 months ago
Rahim517 Disagree. Perhaps you should consider that some men don’t know whether they want to date you before they get to know you at all. It’s not written anywhere that men are required to reveal their deepest feelings to a woman after knowing her for a given amount of time. Men have the same prerogative as women. You may not like it, but fair is fair. Besides, women are just as guilty as men of hiding their true intentions. - 5 months ago
roadkingp Well written article! Congrats. Let me tell you there are some really nice guys out there. Not all are the way you described.
On reading this article I thought I was this 'nice guy' kind you were talking about. But on second thought no. I was clear from the beginning what I was up to. Mind you I have just really pursued 2 girls in my 27 years. The first one passed away, the second one played with me. I just used small talk to come near her. Now small talk can't be equated with friendship. - 4 months ago
krrishtiano Really well presented article. Its refreshing to come across such an article from the female perspective without the usual stereotyping that goes with it. It happened to me when I was younger, with a girl (we started as friends and I expressed interest at one point)and fortunately she was kind enough to make me realize her "lack of interest" and good hearted to extend me her simple friendship considering my genuine nature...but the question if how do we judge the othe persons intentions at first - 3 months ago
Standingpretty This article was very true. Good job! - 2 months ago
PinkFloydian You are an extremely intelligent woman. - A month ago
leawind07 Ok so from what I'm getting at this is that you should be honest and just tell them that I'm interested in that person? and if so when should I tell har that? - 28 days ago
DrJones This article is kind of long and could use some editing. All of us should forgive you because it is so full of win.

Well said - seriously. This is an uncannily accurate description of most of the men and women who I can't stand being around. - 9 days ago
noricat See my article on boundaries girls if you need advice on how to make it obvious in no uncertain terms that you are just friends.

Essentially itsa body language and biological programming.

Guys are programmed to like girls. We are programmed to perceive certain signs and behaviours as an indication of interest. To be a guys mate you got to respect certain boundaries.

Watch how two blokes hang out, you'll get the idea. - 9 days ago
 
Join GirlsAskGuys
Members earn points to get Expert Advice on Video, Amazon & iTunes Gift Cards, books and more!
Male Female
What do you guys think is better, being single or being in a relationship?
Jpalms56 asked Yesterday

Single

In A Relationship

Behavior Articles
 
●  How To Date An Alpha Female - Winning Her Over
by  Hot-Alpha-Female
I recently just read an article on askmen.com which was basically on how to tell if you are dating an Alpha Female and how to counteract her little techniques and win her over. I thought to myself,...
●  Is It Possible To Change Who You Are To Get More Girls?
by  kina2k
This was a question I asked myself last year. Not that I’ve never had a girlfriend but I do tend to get the girls that I “kind of” like, rather than the ones I find gorgeous, intelligent, and super...
Ask a Question
1. Question 110/110 characters
2. Details
Ask Anonymously
New Answers
  
A Girl Asked Do I need to back off a bit and give him space or move on?
A Girl Answered Well you should give him space when it comes to friends but if he really loved you he wouldn't want to break up with you just cause his friends are single. Tell him how that feels when he does that if...

A Girl Asked Not ready for anything serious now means no, right?
A Girl Answered When a person says that, they don't want to commit to you. They don't want to feel responsible and don't want any sort of attachment. Take it as a rejection and move on.
Disclaimer: GirlsAskGuys cannot guarantee the accuracy of answers, opinions and advice submitted by members. Please use common sense when following or omitting any content on GirlsAskGuys.com
Browse Categories: Flirting  |   Dating  |   Relationships  |   Sexuality  |   Break-Up  |   Behavior  |   Style  |   Other                                         Home Top
  Site Links     About GirlsAskGuys     GirlsAskGuys Widgets     Help Us Improve!   RSS Feeds
Home
Videos
Partners
Search Questions
Terms of Use, Privacy
Help, New Members
About Us
Contact Us, Send Feedback
Sitemap
Advertise With Us
Resources
Post your questions on your blog, website, or any social networking page. You can embed into MySpace, Facebook and more. Click here for more info.
Have a suggestion? See a problem on the site? Click here to give feedback and suggestions on the new GirlsAskGuys, and help us give you a better experience. Visit our blog here
 Subscribe
Add to My AOL
Add to Google Reader or Homepage
©2009 girlsaskguys.com™. All Rights Reserved.