Is friendship the first step in dating at some point?

[ChicoFromThe305]

I could've sworn there was a point in time where people would start as friends first then take the next jump by dating and then go up the scale, was I in a parallel universe or do people remember this was more common? It seemed more common until the friend zone kinda took over, people created the friendzone by no longer starting as friends and just jump directly to dating if interested and now use friends to people they aren't interested in lol

My parents started as friends and I know a few other older folk that started the same 🤔

[TheSpaceGnome]

Thats still how it normally works, only gen z's niche hookup culture doesn't start out as friends first, before then trying to date or hump before being friends would have society berade you with insults like whore, slut, skank, jiggalo, sleezbag, womanizer, cheater, town bicycle, etc. and make you an outcast.

I put women in the "friendzone" so I have time to learn about them and see if I want to date/marry her or not, so I always would start off as "just friends" with a woman.

[NathanDavis]

with my first two girlfriends, yes... we were friends first, before any dating happened

but with the two later girlfriends, no... we weren't friends before

[ChicoFromThe305]

Perfect example lol

[NathanDavis]

in my case... it was the age, I think

the first two were during school years and in school settings... but the more recent ones, well... not so easy to make friends the same way because you're way busier doing a lot more things

so, unless they were coworkers, there's not the same setting to build up a friendship so easily or naturally because I just don't see them that often

[Account]

Yes, it was.
There is the huge risk of also losing your friend though and mutual friends as well if shit doesn't work out.

[ChicoFromThe305]

Yea that's for Sure, I'm pretty certain they both know what they are signing up for if it doesn't work out

[Abbycado]

Not for me. I have only dated one guy and we weren’t friends per se. we were friendly to each other.

[ChicoFromThe305]

So does that count? 💀

[Abbycado]

Does it? XD

Friendly and friends mean different for me.

[ChicoFromThe305]

When you out it like that, I see your point ha

[ChicoFromThe305]

Put*

[dustybiker2]

No. My childhood friends. Paired up with any of them and we would kill each other. But it works as friends. They get to bounce off me the female perspective. It's like a therapy group.

[ChicoFromThe305]

Well that's not what I meant but fair enough 😂

[dustybiker2]

I often reply off point. It pisses some people off no end.

[ChicoFromThe305]

I'll just pretend you responded with accuracy 😂

[dustybiker2]

😂 Practically perfect.

[ChicoFromThe305]

🤣🤣🤣

[TheSpaceGnome]

I wouldn't count those as friends, friends have your back and agree with you on most things and treat you like a family should.

[dustybiker2]

@TheSpaceGnome They do. Did I imply they didn't? I only said it wouldn't work with any of them romantically.

[TheSpaceGnome]

Why would you "kill eachother" if you get along that well.

Makes no sense 🤔

[dustybiker2]

@TheSpaceGnome Figure of speech. We would drive each other mad living together 24/7. Because we know each others buttons, and they tend to push mine more than I can live with.

[TheSpaceGnome]

When people push my buttons I ditch them, I have no time for that nonsense and would not consider anyone who does that as a friend.

[dustybiker2]

@TheSpaceGnome I get you. These boys do it out of love though. Pain in the butts sometimes but I love them. Known them since my single digit years.

[AaronKrieger]

Not always, but it definitely can be for a lot of people.

I do not like to be good friends prior to dating, since I like to make the separation and the mystique in the beginning of getting to know someone is nice.

[Miah04]

It can be all depends. My precious snoots boot was my bestie since ms. Now she my well. I said too much

[ChicoFromThe305]

What's a shoots boot?

[Miah04]

Snoot, not shoots. It's not that hard to retype the same word you're looking at

[ChicoFromThe305]

What is It? 😡

[Miah04]

What is what?🤨

[ChicoFromThe305]

A snoot boot

[Miah04]

What about it?

[ChicoFromThe305]

Forget it 😂🖕🏼

[Miah04]

😂😂😂 it's just a variation from happy feet.
They were like don't be so snooty booty.
So i call her my snoot boot

[ChicoFromThe305]

You watched happy feet recently haven't you 😂

[Miah04]

Naw. Been her nickname since hs.

[ChicoFromThe305]

I feel like you left out some info

[Miah04]

Yup. I ain't puttin my business out there

[ChicoFromThe305]

Fair enough lol

[IslaTheWitch]

It can be in some cases. I prefer to get to know interesting people very well. Some of them have become my friends, some my partners.

[KrakenAttackin]

@IslaTheWitch. What percentage of friends wanted to be partners?

[IslaTheWitch]

@KrakenAttackin it doesn't work that way for me... I takemy time to get to know people and let them to get to know me.
A lot of people give up... the pace is too slow for them. I don't mind. I won't align to others in this process, I prefer people in my circle who think in similar way.
So we simply meet sometimes and talk and joke, with time text and call... and there is a moment, we simply know, what it is - friendship or something more.
I like the way it works, I like to invite people to my life. But as an autistic person I have my difficulties, so this process let me manage my social life :D

[KrakenAttackin]

@IslaTheWitch. Well, that sounds like a solid recipe.

[mandyfire98]

My boyfriend and I were friendly but not friends. We met at the gym.

[Somoneelse]

I believe its quite common to start as friends before you date. This is how I met my (now ex-) girlfriend at least. But I've also seen a lot of people who skipped the friends-phase and went from strangers to lovers.

[sheikalana]

For some maybe. I've never been friends with my now Husband.

[Idkgirl1]

Well me and my now boyfriend started as friends

[ChicoFromThe305]

That's what's up lol

[Nikki1989]

Of course, you have to start somewhere.

[Twalli]

I don't date anyone who isn't already a friend. If I don't like hanging out with you and ssf ping stuff together without romance in it, I don't want to date you.

[JayBones]

I can sadly confirm dating is the LAST step of friendship and should be avoided at all cost

[Yamaal]

definitely yes😅😅😃😃

[euniestars]

Yeah