Male friend invited me to fancy-ish family outing, is there anything to it?

[Anonymous]

Friends for a few years, got close during pandemic.

Under the impression he has/had no romantic interest in me (occasional third-wheeling included).

Both living abroad, so family visits are a big deal but somehow got invited to meet his.

Might there be anything to this?

[Carolmille]

Is the family gathering fancyish? Enjoy it! You’ve got the rest of your life to worry about relationships. Did you know that a certain report submits that about 90% of relationships started before the age of 30 ends in a breakup. Another one submits that at least 50% of marriages (here in the USA) ends in divorce.

So so what’s the fuss about? If you’ve been invited to a nice gathering, you either have time to attend and enjoy it or you don’t. Give your heart less stress wondering what it means to be invited. You think if you said you were busy he wouldn’t find someone else to accompany him? Phew!

[Gagname]

@Carolmille
Do you do this advice stuff for a living (“column” or “online thing”)?…if not, you should!

[Carolmille]

@Gagname I don’t. Maybe I should.

[Xoxocutekitty]

If he's a good friend, he probably invited you to have fun with. If it's upscale it's usually weird to bring a same gender as a 'plus one.'

You can go alone, but people immediately ask you questions about 1) work 2) dating life. It gets boring pretty fast. At least with a friend it's a shared experience and it's easier to redirect conversations or have someone to drink with you in the corner/ make Karen related jokes.

[In_Trance]

He may have not ever had romantic interest in you but I guarantee he's jerked off thinking of banging you against the headboard

[Pj1981]

If I were to invite a woman to a family gathering I am definitely interested.

[FreyaRed]

He wants you on his side to avoid stupid question or assumptions of his family. I wouldn't interpret too much into it. If he is really good friend since years, you should allow him to use you one time.

[RobT312]

He may just need a date to the event since he’s single, OR he's shy about the next strep with you and wants opinion from the family first because he has a hang up like that

[Citizenkirk]

Is this a formal affair with dress 👗 code enforcement? Are in the people there stuffy or fancy free?

[Avicenna]

It's possible, but you need more evidence to confirm

[IncognitoBandito]

He might just want his family to get off his back about finding someone.

[jahaims]

There is always a chance but he probably just thinks of you as a friend

[Iron_Man]

Maybe just wait and see

[jimmy2]

Look out a wolf in sheeps clothing