If your friend told you they liked you, would you still be friends with them if they still wanted to be, but you'd secretly enjoy the ego boost?

[Bethany22]

Or would you break it off because it would be awkward (because you don't like them in return)?

Be friends, while enjoying the ego boost

Stop being friends, even if they wanted to continue the friendship

[GuyAnswersGirls123]

Depends entirely on the vibe. If it's very innocent and not like a real crush, no problem. If it's like a crush, then I might start to distance myself because I don't want to lead them on and risk hurting them.

Most Japanese don't crush. Like even the female friends I had in the past who expressed some interest didn't get jealous when I got a girlfriend and were able to become friends with her too. It was just an innocent expression of attraction and they got their own boyfriends soon after.

[GuyAnswersGirls123]

Also I don't really get big ego boosts from girls expressing some attraction towards me. I mean it is nice to know I can attract some women that way but I don't assume that just because girl A is attracted to me, girl B will be as well. I go by the idea that this is all potentially very subjective, maybe more so than most people since my looks and overall character seem to be very hit or miss with women. So I really can't assume that just because one girl likes me a lot, the next one will too. The next one might even hate me.

[Anonymous]

I'd stay friends with them but let them know about boundaries.. I had a few ugly friends there were women that told me they liked/wanted me.. I told them I'm not interested in them like that and only wanted to be friends..

[zeitgeist057]

I've actually got several (platonic) girlfriends that fit this profile. They have ongoing crushes on me, and it's definitely an ego boost. Some are more vocal or obvious about it than others, but it's definitely a good feeling to know someone thinks you're attractive. It also is great for meeting new women I might be interested in, because those female friends of mine that find me attractive also have other friends that they are talking to about me. If I find their friend attractive, I'm already off to a good start with them because I've been hyped up.

I'm good about boundaries, so I am able to maintain friendships usually even when someone is attracted to me and it's not mutual.

[Pinay_ako]

Ye I’d still be friends with them.

[IslaTheWitch]

none...

I had a similar situation a few weeks ago... we had a serious conversation, which ended with him slamming my door from the other side, lol...

But he didn't have any romantic feelings for me... he was worried... he spotted bruises on my arms after I was assaulted and wanted to take care of me. So, we had a conversation to clarify this mess... He was pissed off AF and didn't call me for a week... and then twins of our common friend decided to appear in this world 2 months earlier than planned... and everything returned to known old. Us being friends. Me taking care of mother and twins, him taking care of me in his annoying style.

So, for me, such a situation would be a signal to clarify the emotions, their reasons, and possible effects. I treasure my friendships...

[Purpleronnie]

I don’t think there is a clear rule here , so no quick and fast advice. Certain situations and experiences shared can easily inspire feelings in one direction making you feel that you’re “vibing” with a person but in reality it’s little more than a passing interest. My take is that I would judge based on how I would feel if the situation were reversed or what I think is best dependent on my knowledge of who that person is ! For example does this person wear their heart on their sleeve? For sure though whatever I decided i would be communicate clearly and be very sensitive to how they perceive me if I was to continue spending time with them “as a friend “ .

[Xia1994]

I would never befriend a guy who has feelings for me if i didn't have feelings for him back. That's no longer a friendship you are literally now dating the person you don't have feelings for it's not a platonic relationship anymore. That person too who wants to be friend zoned has a strong heart and is a time and energy waster I'd never.

[rosemilk]

well i'm taken. and all my friends know that i'm taken. and my friends are also my partners friends. so it'd be pretty odd for one of them to say they like me while already knowing i'm taken. but i'd be polite about it and i don't think it's something to end a friendship over.

[pathfinder69420]

If you're just keeping them around to inflate your ego, get help and let the "friend" go. You're not their friend. You're using them for validation. Gross.

[Xia1994]

Thank you!

[OfMiceandMen]

I would be fine staying friends, just have to be sure they know you think of them only as a friend.

If they can't accept that, then consider letting go of the friendship.

[Blessedme]

I will stop the friendship. They will get ideas that I like them which will hurt them in long run. I already dropped many friendships with males colleagues.

[WhitneySnow]

I picked the top choice. But not for the ego boost (though that would be nice). I would never cut somebody off as a friend just because they liked me and I didn’t like them back.

[PeachyPie93]

I don't get an ego boost from someone liking me who I don't like. I would keep them as a friend.

[clampfan101]

Friendship is the foundation of any caring relationship. From my girl friend to my girlfriend to my fiancée to my wife, my SO and I will always be friends!
(As soon as I find out who she is…)

[serious]

I will break the friendship and cease contact.

[JacobJordan]

I don't have friends of the opposite of sex but hearing that a woman is attracted to me is always nice.

[GoodGuyBreakingBad]

Continue being friends with them but love them from the distant.

[FunkyMonkee]

I don't think there would BE an ego boost but, yeah, most likely.

[SotiCoto]

I'm really not bothered by that stuff. I flat out ignore flirting even when I'm aware of it.

[Yannae]

I stay friends, and let it be known that I enjoy the ego boost.

[SunnyRS]

I cannot be friends with them as it always stays in my head that they want something more than what I can give.

[Twalli]

I would tell them don't see them that way. I might just not have considered a romantic relationship with them until they mentioned it.