Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

to cuddle a man?

65 replies

R0XY · 01/05/2026 23:10

I have a close male friend. Sometimes he stays over at my place and we sleep in the same bed.
(I only have one bed)

Often I wake up and he is holding me/cuddled up to me. It’s comforting for us both.

Is this actually OK? I feel confused.

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Legsahoy · 02/05/2026 09:40

I had platonic male friendships when I was at uni. Going to the cinema, sitting under the same blanket on my bed watching a movie, sharing a meal/ice cream. I naively assumed that I could do those things with them because that’s exactly how I would be with female friends too.

Over the course of three years every single one of my male friends made a move at some point!!

Turns out it was platonic for me only 🤦🏼‍♀️

I do have platonic friendships with men in my early 40’s, but they never cross a boundary with intimacy like the above. We’ll go for lunch, dinner, drinks etc, but I’d never sit on a bed, share a blanket or share a dessert etc. There’s a line I wouldn’t cross.

BlueMum16 · 02/05/2026 09:36

R0XY · 02/05/2026 00:22

Because we are the opposite sex.

People don’t trust their partners do they.

It's not about lack of trust is about respecting other people's feelings. You've already said you wouldn't like a partner doing it. Nothing stopping you being friends as the PP you quoted shows

As for now while you are single, anything is fine. Your friend has issues.

L0V315 · 02/05/2026 09:33

"People don’t trust their partners do they."

It is about boundaries and respect Op.

BillieWiper · 02/05/2026 09:30

If its comfortable for you then it's fine. Platonic friends are allowed physical touch. It doesn't have to be sexual.

If he's got a stiffy and he's trying it on and you are not interested in him sexually then it's not OK obviously.

CharityShopMensGlasses · 02/05/2026 09:29

R0XY · 02/05/2026 00:22

Because we are the opposite sex.

People don’t trust their partners do they.

Its not really about trust its about boundariea kindness and respect. No one really wants their partner sleeping with someone of the opposite sex. Being a good partner means making your other half feel safe. Not testing them.

sunnydisaster · 02/05/2026 09:26

I’ve shared a bed w male friends in my younger days and nothing like this happened. It sounds like your friend wanted something to happen.
Next time I’d say ‘I’d rather you slept in the sofa or you can use a sleeping bag on my bed and I’ll sleep under the covers’.

hahabahbag · 02/05/2026 09:25

You are both single, do whatever you want, if you were in relationships, no it wouldn’t be right

Imbrocator · 02/05/2026 09:21

R0XY · 02/05/2026 00:20

I wouldn’t be ok with it.

Thats why I’m confused. Is it ok to do it until either of us have partners but then all of a sudden it’s not. Cause there’s no sexual element to it at all.

I wouldn’t do it by the way. Out of respect for the other people but it just seems kind of hypocritical.

You seem to think that a romantic relationship only revolves around the sexual, but a huge part of a romantic relationship is having the shared intimacy, physical closeness and emotional intimacy.

The reason most people would be threatened by their husband or wife cuddling someone like this in bed is because that kind of emotional and physical intimacy is usually limited to a person’s significant other.

It sounds like what you have with your friend is something a little like a romantic relationship without the sexual element. You are very comfortable around one another, you are physically close, and you derive emotional support from that closeness.

And that’s complete fine! But it takes it out of the realm of a platonic friendship and into a slightly different place, which is probably why you’re feeling uncertain about it. It’s perfectly ok to have a relationship which has the closeness and emotional elements without the sex, but it is a different beast and it is likely to hurt/confuse any future partners you both may have if you’re not prepared for it.

By all means go with the flow, but be aware that if you or he do meet someone then the dynamic will have to change, and that’s likely to be difficult (e.g. if he meets someone, she finds out he cuddles you in bed is understandably jealous, and he is forced to limit contact - or vice versa).

For now though, enjoy it! Glad you have a good friend there for you through the tough times.

Gonnagetgoingreturnsagain · 02/05/2026 09:20

GetInLoser12 · 02/05/2026 09:07

I personally don’t believe men make the effort to become very close friends with women they don’t want to shag. Especially when they’re hopping into bed and cuddling them. Sounds to me like it’s less platonic on his side than you think OP.

After years of living and believing in platonic friendships I now have the same view.

DreamyScroller · 02/05/2026 09:19

R0XY · 01/05/2026 23:20

We are both currently single.
Neither of us are gay.

Can I ask though. Why would it not be ok if either of us had partners. Surely it’s either ok or not ok. This is why I’m confused.

You're asking why it would be inappropriate to cuddle another man intimately and wake up next to him in bed if you were married to someone else? Come on.

Villanellesproudmum · 02/05/2026 09:18

From what you have said you both feel comfortable so I can’t see an issue.

Of either of you had partners then their views would also need to be considered, I can’t imagine my partner being happy but you don’t have to worry about that so really there isn’t an issue.

ItsJustMeMyself · 02/05/2026 09:13

R0XY · 02/05/2026 00:09

Because if a relationship is platonic then why can’t you sleep in the same bed if either of you were in a relationship with someone else.

Obviously it’s because we are opposite sex because I have girlfriends who I’ve slept in the same bed with whom are married and it’s never been an issue.

If you're with someone else, there are certain intimate things you shouldn't do with anyone else like 'cuddling' or anything else in bed.

A teddy bear or blanket works wonders.

shhblackbag · 02/05/2026 09:10

R0XY · 01/05/2026 23:20

We are both currently single.
Neither of us are gay.

Can I ask though. Why would it not be ok if either of us had partners. Surely it’s either ok or not ok. This is why I’m confused.

No, come on. Don't be faux confused.

GetInLoser12 · 02/05/2026 09:07

I personally don’t believe men make the effort to become very close friends with women they don’t want to shag. Especially when they’re hopping into bed and cuddling them. Sounds to me like it’s less platonic on his side than you think OP.

Gonnagetgoingreturnsagain · 02/05/2026 09:07

Bobbles888 · 02/05/2026 07:25

He wants to shag you… he is testing the water!

Definitely.

Gonnagetgoingreturnsagain · 02/05/2026 09:06

With me he usually didn’t cuddle but one night in bed with him (he’d broken up from a girlfriend) he cuddled me in his sleep. To be honest I froze in that scenario as it felt more than friends would do.

Gonnagetgoingreturnsagain · 02/05/2026 09:04

I had this years ago with a male platonic friend, turned out he secretly fancied me. We ended up dating and it ruined our friendship as he changed completely then.

VioletandMauve · 02/05/2026 08:37

What a palaver! If you enjoy the cuddling carry on with it. If you don’t, then ask him to stop. It’s not difficult.

gannett · 02/05/2026 08:34

I'm confused as to what you're asking OP.

Yes, platonic bed-sharing and cuddling is OK. You both seem to derive non-sexual comfort from it and that's great. It won't be for everyone - it wouldn't be for me, I like my own space - but it doesn't have to be.

If you were in relationships then it would have to be OK with your partners. Everyone has different boundaries. Personally I believe you when you say it's entirely platonic but not everyone will be comfortable with it. You get to choose whether you want to be in a relationship with someone who doesn't want you to cuddle your friend, of course.

Lmnop22 · 02/05/2026 08:28

R0XY · 01/05/2026 23:54

Yes it’s comforting to me. I mentioned it to a friend who has blown up about it. Saying it’s weird and needs to stop. She more or less compared it with incest.

I know it all sounds naïve. I’m not young (39) and I’ve had a traumatic couple of years. It makes me confused/sad that my other friend has turned the whole thing inside out.

I take on board the comments from people and I apologise if I sound like a complete tit.

Incest? To cuddle someone you’re not related to? That’s batshit.

If you are sure you’re both on the same page and neither is hoping for more and standing to get hurt then crack on! If one of you got into a relationship you’d possibly have to reconsider depending on whatever boundaries were put in place within that relationship and the comfort level of the new partner.

PumpkinScarf · 02/05/2026 08:17

If you’re cuddling in bed, it’s more than friendship. Where is the confusion? You’re 39, grow up.

Catza · 02/05/2026 08:02

WrylyAmused · 02/05/2026 00:08

This will go against all the other Mumsnet responses, because this topic always does.

I'm poly. I'm mid 40s. I have a long term female partner and a long term male partner. I also share a bed platonically, on occasion, individually, and often when travelling, with a good proportion of both my male and female friends. Some of them, we cuddle. Some of them, we don't.

It's weird to the majority because we're brought up to think that physical closeness and comfort is something one should only do with a single, monogamous sexual partner. But that comes from old Judeo-Christian morality, and you can choose for yourself whether that's something you want to care about.

If you can get past the social conditioning, then platonically sharing a bed and cuddling is a pleasant but not particularly important activity which carries about as much weight as a childhood sleepover. Neither of my partners gives a shit about it, because they're secure and well adjusted. And cuddles are nice.

And, when I have, in the past and on occasion, been in a monogamous relationship, I have spoken about cuddling others to my partner at the time, and actually, they've all been fine with it, because I don't tend to date people who don't challenge conventional thinking, nor lack trust or are insecure, so it's also possible to find people who are monogamous and are also fine with cuddling others, although I'll agree it's probably rarer than in poly circles.

Edited to add, some of the people I cuddle with are in monogamous relationships. And it only happens if their partners are also fine with it. It's not nearly as uncommon as the responses here will make you think.

Edited

I'm not poly but I agree with this. It is very much social conditioning. Other cultures can be a lot more open to it. I have certainly cuddled female friends in bed, especially, at the time where they needed emotional support. I also have a best male friend with whom we shared a bed in the past. Physical contact is normal.

MiddleClassProblem · 02/05/2026 07:48

Because when you have a partner you have to consider how another person would feel.

It can be platonic and intimate which is fine but with a partner you tend to put boundaries in place.

Flannelfeet · 02/05/2026 07:37

MrsShawnHatosy · 01/05/2026 23:32

As long as you are both single I don’t see the issue. Humans need contact.

Have you been watching animal kingdom?

Just with your username I was wondering 🤔 🤣

MouseCheese87 · 02/05/2026 07:34

R0XY · 02/05/2026 00:22

Because we are the opposite sex.

People don’t trust their partners do they.

If your boyfriend was snuggling up to other women in bed and not you, I'm sure you'd have good reason not to trust him. Whether it's platonic or not, it's very physically intimate. He probably would shag you though, if you expressed interest.

Swipe left for the next trending thread