Which situation is more difficult, friendzone or forever girlfriendzone?

[Anonymous]

When it comes to dating and relationships, who has it more difficult, who struggles more:

- Mark has gone out on several dates already and has no problems making friends nor talking to people. However, he seems unable to turn a date into a girlfriend, can't make it past friendship.

- Susy is getting older, will be 32 soon and this is the 3rd boyfriend she can't get a proposal, marriage and kids. She's unable to get out of the girlfriendzone. She wants to be a wife and mother.

Friendzone (not converting a date into a girlfriend)

Girlfriendzone (unable to get a boyfriend to become a husband)

[Vesuvius87]

Definitely B because it means time was wasted and all the moments you've dedicated or even shared your most private secrets with the person was for nothing. The man stringing her along, knowing very well he'll never marry her but still keeps me around is likely either a narcissist or a selfish pig thinking of just himself and his needs. If you get rejected on a date, at least things didn't progress further. The further things go and the more time spent, the more hurtful the fall will be. Then you have to deal with the recovery phase after years were wasted for nothing.

[Anonymous]

Both of them are not desirable people that's why they are in the position that they are in.

[Asker]

I suppose if things aren't working out for them with several different people, they have to do an introspection at some point. A man going on many dates for years and getting nor relationship from anyone, something is wrong there. A woman getting into a couple long-term relationship and neither of those men want to marry her, something must be wrong there too.

[NachoAverageUser]

All friendzone means to me, is your not sexually attracted to that person. Otherwise how can you possibly be friends with someone if you are attracted to someone. i can't be friends with a girl if I am attracted to her. I have to end relationships with girls, because they didn't like me back in that way.

I am friendzoned a girl, it means I am just friends with her, but not feelings for her.

[Asker]

true no relationship can't ever be established if you're not even attracted to the person. Since it's an early rejection when no deeper feelings were established then it must be easier to move on.

[NachoAverageUser]

Exactly—friendzoning often gets a bad reputation, but it’s simply about respecting feelings and boundaries. If one person doesn’t feel romantic attraction, it’s natural to want to stay friends instead. Friendzoning isn’t about rejecting someone’s worth; it’s about acknowledging that you can’t force romantic feelings. It’s healthier to accept that attraction isn’t mutual than to hold onto unrealistic expectations. In the end, friendzoning just means recognizing that the connection is best suited to friendship, and there’s nothing wrong with that.

[HighValue]

If a girlfriend wants to become a wife, usually all she needs to do is offer to sign a prenuptial agreement. It is often that simple.

[Asker]

Sounds like a very easy solution then. If the man then comes out with more excuses even after that, then that's when he's full of BS and really doesn't want marriage at all.

[AI Opinion]

As a relationship coach here on Girls Ask Guys, unraveling these love dilemmas is my game! Both friendzone and forever girlfriendzone have their challenges and heartbreak, but they differ in their emotional impact.

Mark struggles with a friendship ceiling, while Susy yearns for deeper commitment. Mark's on the path of wishful thinking, dreaming for more than he's built, while Susy is battling the ticking clock of life goals. Being stuck in the girlfriend zone when you crave marriage and family is like watching your Netflix series buffer endlessly—frustrating! Both situations deserve a deep dive into self-awareness and maybe a sprinkle of courage to communicate desires clearly. Hang in there, love adventurers! 😊💘

[clampfan101]

B. The entire point of looking for a girlfriend for me is finding my future wife. If we’re never getting married, we might as well be just friends while I try someone else.

[Asker]

yeah I don't understand why some people that are supposedly looking to get married one day, stay with someone they clearly know they'll never marry.

[Asker]

it's a waste of time for both the person getting string along and the one doing the stringing along since it'll eventually end in a break-up

[Kingofkings1992]

Neither one actually exists. If it does, It’s only because you placed yourself in it.

[Asker]

So people willingly let themselves in positions they don't want to be in? Though if feelings are involved, one party is investing more than the other and one isn't on the same page, that's when it hurts.

[Jltakk]

Friendzone easily, at least she had a relationship.

[Anonymous]

There are NO zones.

[Asker]

Then why does that still happen in real life? Why are there men still posting here and other site about being unable to ever get into a relationship and women posting about their long-term boyfriend making excuses for marriage and never proposing.

[noohair]

Both are a problem

[Asker]

Indeed. Investing feelings on someone that won't reciprocate and isn't on the same page has to hurt so badly.

[Anonymous]

Friend zone means no relationship chances at all.

[Asker]

I suppose the only advantage is no deeper feelings were established so it's easier moving on from rejection.