Can Women and Men Be Friends?

Question

So I have a friend that is a woman, and she’s in a committed relationship. I’m also friends with her partner. I’ve known both of them for almost 10 years. At any rate, last weekend we were camping, and he (her partner) had to go back a day early. Nothing happened between us, but some of my social circle disapproves of this. Stating we shouldn’t have camped together. We didn’t share a tent, we just had a conversation around the campfire. Afterwards we slept in different tents and the next day packed up. And drove home together. So my question is for both Girls and Guys, is this acceptable behavior for two adults?

PeachyPie93 · Accepted Answer

I don't get why that is weird, especially because you slept in separate tents.. You can have friends of the opposite sex. It is only weird if you and his girlfriend are acting like besties calling/texting each other privately or hanging out alone together.. but besides that if you are just generally being friends and hanging out in a group is not a bad thing.

Account · Accepted Answer

I do not see anything wrong with that. And yes, women and men can be friends. I have been friends with my best friend for more than a decade. He never saw me in a different way and I never saw him in a different way either.

Love Doctor Brad · Accepted Answer

My aim on Girls Ask Guys is to shed light on intriguing relationship dynamics like this one! Honestly, friendships between men and women can be as natural as toast and butter. The key ingredient is mutual respect and clear boundaries. 🚦 If both you and your friend understand and respect the boundaries, why shouldn’t you enjoy each other’s company? Camping with her doesn't automatically draw red flags unless boundaries blur like a watercolor painting in the rain. Communication and trust are vital, so hold onto those! 😊🌟

Finchie40 · Answer

Yes , as long as it’s just friendship and nothing more , in your case you are friends with her and her partner, so there is nothing wrong there , I am friends with a few couples that are strictly just friendship we just hang out together and do things together once in awhile , it’s only bad , if one partner doesn’t approve of the friendship , then that’s a whole different story Which can or could happen. If it does? you are best to stay out of it and let them figure out their relationship and not get yourself caught in the middle of it all, and let them resolve their issues.

HawkPerception · Answer

The majority of the time, I don't think so. And I'm saying this as a guy with 2 female friends. I know that most guys don't have as strict of a moral code as me. I'm not trying to be arrogant about it, but most guys would jump at the opportunity of their female friend sleeping with them.

Don't believe it? Try it out. If you have a male friend, ask them if they'd be down to fuck. The vast majority would say yes.

I personally wouldn't fuck someone that I don't see myself working out with in the long run. I'm not a hookup guy and have turned it down twice before.

But again... most guys are not like that. If my partner has a guy friend, I'd prefer to meet them and judge myself if they might have any ulterior motives or just waiting for my partner to slip up.

There are a lot of girls out there that would also do the same to guys. It's a pathetic world of cloak and dagger

RingOfFire · Answer

I've never been able to have a successful friendship with a woman that didn't at some point try to turn into more.

There's just too much sexual and romantic tension.

I just broke off with a woman who was a girlfriend in high school 50 years ago. I attended her wedding when she was about 20 and she is still married to the same man. She has been communicating with me and I don't feel comfortable about it because she didn't tell her husband, and even if she did I still wouldn't feel right about it.

I told her several times that I like her but I'm not comfortable with it and I think we need to stop but she keeps starting up the conversation again.

I told her that I could not keep doing it and we have to stop communicating. If she tries to contact me again I'm going to block her.

I've just never been able to have a successful friendship only relationship with women. Of course if I see them casually at some event or something that's a different story. I can have a very superficial friendship of that kind, no problem. But a serious friendship without anything else? Doesn't work for me.

blueonblack22 · Answer

Friendly and friends are two different things.

I personally can’t be friends with a woman I feel attracted to if it’s to the point I feel jealous knowing she is taken.

Now if I find her attractive but seriously don’t feel jealous or care that’s she’s taken that’s one thing. But that’s my judgment and only my judgment. That’s for me to decide.

No one else should shame me for “not wanting to be her friend” because I feel jealous she’s with someone else. It’s not good for my own mental health longing for something I can’t have.

I notice this is something women try to shame (and mock) men over. They tell guys “oh grow up she’s taken. You should just be her friend”. Nah that is complete bullshit. No one really shames or mocks women when they feel jealous they can’t have a taken man.

Again in those scenarios I will be friendly but not real friends. There is a difference.

godfatherfan · Answer

You had no business staying with the woman without her SO being there. None. Doesn't matter if you can or can't be friends with her, there is no reason to ever be in that situation where anyone can even think for a minute "did something happen"?
Even if you are in a relationship and she is, don't try and say you never even for a minute thought some boom chicka wa wa thoughts about her. Of course you did. Doesn't mean you act on it, but why risk anyone wondering?

incorrected · Answer

There are always exceptions, but as a general rule they're only friends if they're unattracted to each other, and more often than not one of them harbours some attraction to the other and are keeping their options open. Ask yourself this: If your friends split up, would you consider dating this woman? If so, it isn't "just" friends, there's still *some* romantic interest even if you have the morals not to act on it.

EzraIsShy76028 · Answer

Uh yes? I don't see why not. It's not like a man is automatically attracted to every single woman out there or like a woman is attracted to every single man out there. Just because you're a male and female doesn't mean you have any romantic or sexual potential together.

Boromir · Answer

I am as cis-het-male as they come. Like a door. I have female friends I love dearly, but would not stick a tongue in them out of free will. I'm relatively sure they feel the same about me. For me it works fine, for many of my friends it works fine, and I'm convinced that there are both men and women for whom it won't work. All very personal.

Nikki1989 · Answer

Absolutely, for the one millionth time, women, and men can be friends. It must be true, most of my friends are men and always have been.

SolitarySolace · Answer

They can try but if they have a relationship already it’ll hurt their relationships. 🤷🏻‍♂️ Relationships start off as friendships and grow from there. Even if you’re already in one.

MisterWack · Answer

I have a lot of female friends so,  Yes.

Anonymous · Answer

It's acceptable if he knows about it an approves of it. It's all about RESPECT.

Anonymous · Answer

There’s probably other issues going on in that relationship with the guy leaving early without his wife/girlfriend. I know what you mean, though, where you have a friend who is a woman but you have no interest in her sexually.

PLLisa_ · Answer

yes they can but it always ends up different

Anonymous · Answer

A man can absolutely be friends with a woman. It really helps if he's getting a LOT of very regular sex from hotter women.

justagirl9905 · Answer

Every single male friend I’ve had ghosted me after I said I was just wanting a friendship 😒

beefcakebradybatson · Answer

Sure, there are lots of boy and girl friends who aren't boyfriends and girlfriends.

Kingofkings1992 · Answer

Omg. How many times is this question going to be asked? YES

luvstoned4him · Answer

I believe its possible

Avicenna · Answer

Yea, it’s possible

Vegasrunner · Answer

It makes you look like a loser

jojouzumaki · Answer

definitely

clampfan101 · Answer

Yes. They can even feel like family.

TonyMetal___86 · Answer

Maybe but in rare cases

Jmmmfi4 · Answer

HEEEEEEEELL NO

grega239 · Answer

Why would i want to be friends with women?

Anonymous · Answer

Yes of course.

Anonymous · Answer

Yes, if there is no mutual attraction.

soe11 · Answer

Why not?

LiamJHayden · Answer

Yes.

Anonymous · Answer

Nope

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