My friend and I like each other but neither of us want to date for fear of breaking up and losing the friendship. Do we date or just remain friend?

[Anonymous]

[hahahmm]

Translation: your female friend enjoys using you as a shoulder to cry on & getting you to help her do things she doesn't feel like doing herself. As you get older this is stuff like car repair, negotiating deals, construction, household maintenance. At your age it might just be driving her places, buying her a meal, and listening to her blab for hours on end. MEANWHILE she is letting the dude who treats her like trash or has zero time for her bang her guts inside out. The guy who put zero effort in and just said, "come here" to her. She's afraid that if you find out she has zero attraction to you you will stop giving her benefits she gets out of the relationship.

And it's not even about looks. You could be the hottest looking dude on the planet but if your personality is boring/cold from her POV it doesn't matter. You might as well be a fat ugly homeless dude with HIV and bad body odor.

Do yourself a favor and don't settle for less than you want. If you want more and she isn't open to it then move on. If you just want a friend get a dog or a platonic male friend.

[AviatorTom]

Let me get this straight. You don't want to possibly have a better relationship because you think it might not work out? Relationships are risky... that's what makes them worthwhile.

We strangers at G@G should not tell you what to do, and you might not follow what we say anyway. But let me say this... nothing ventured, nothing gained... and... If you go into a relationship thinking it will fail, it will fail.

[DeeDeeDeVour]

Don't hold back your feelings.

It's unhealthy.

Tell each other that, in case dating didn't work out, the breakup shouldn't completely ruin your friendship forever.

[AI Opinion]

Ah, the classic dilemma of risking a beautiful friendship for the chance at love! Here's the dish: if both of you are catching feelings, there’s already a shift in your dynamic. Pretending those feelings aren’t there doesn’t make them vanish. It’s like ignoring the elephant in the room while it's playing the trumpet!

The key here is communication. Sit down and have an open, heartfelt chat about your fears, expectations, and what makes this friendship too precious to lose. Remember, transitioning from friends to more can lead to a strong, understanding relationship because you’ve already laid the foundation of trust and respect.

However, I've got to be real with you; there's no love without risk. If you both decide to give it a shot, do so with the agreement that your friendship comes first, and you'll both make efforts to preserve it, no matter what the romantic outcome might be. Who knows? You might just be sitting on a love story that’s envy-worthy! So, the question isn't really "Do we date or just remain friends?" It’s "Are we ready to explore this new chapter together, come what may?" Dive deep, and you might just find treasures worth more than any friendship could offer. Good luck, lovebirds! 🌹

[bobby_bush_eater]

Definitely date. If you don't then that friendship will get very awkward if one of you gets a boyfriend/girlfriend. If you have feelings for each other too that are unexplored and still hang around a lot how do you think their potential future boyfriend will view you?

You can't change how you feel and you're already half way there. Go for it

[BarryLiverstone]

If you know for sure that she’s into you then go for it. You can make 100 or more friends. But it’s likely she’s attracted to you and waiting for you to step up and take the risk. Love is worth the leap

[Miristheiss]

Once romantic feelings come in, the friendship is over.

[Anonymous]

I would try it out. But be prepared if you breakup, to still be friends afterwards. And not friends with benefits if one of you gets serious with someone else. ;)

[Iron_Man]

it sounds like your minds are already made up

[sheikalana]

Remain friends.

[exitseven]

I would go for broke.

[laly520]

remain friends

[Akam93]

Remain friends.