What would you think of being a "friend with benefits"?

[pleasetellme]

If you met a woman with a very complex life situation (not involving a partner) and you yourself had great practical difficulties in the short term committing to a full on relationship,would you feel that if you were good friends already occasional sex would be OK? Not talking about this being permanent, just until the practical difficulties around you being together were resolved. Would you think badly of a woman who offered this and if not how could she bring the subject up with you? To clarify no other partners involved and both of you in great need of comfort.

absolutely no problem with that - but these things are always a lot more complex than they first appear and emotions are slippery and changing beasts.

'both of you in great need of comfort' suggests potential trouble to me. It suggests that at least one will be hoping that by 'selflessly' offering the other one a shag or two, a Great Relationship will occur.
Sex is great, and sex with a nice person is an excellent way of cheering both of you up, but having sex with someone out of sheer desperation is often not a very good idea.

yes agree with BBBee and sgb on all counts. Have been here, and it seems to 'work' for a short while. Not thinking badly of the woman at all. My friend with benefits was a lovely woman, v. attractive and very busy, and we liked each other a lot.
How to bring it up? Carefully and delicately. But things change and I for one wouldn't go there again.

The need part made me think that it wasn't a good idea.

I sometimes use this phrase at the start of a new relationship for a couple of reasons.

1. I'm not sure if the guy is right for me.

2. To sound casual even if I like the guy but don't want him to feel pressurised to commit.

Both smacks of some dishonesty reading it back.

lol at Eve as always
hmm.started one of these arrangements myself once but then backed out as i felt that i might get too involved
i think in theory it should work,but inevitably one of the parties will want more IMO

In principle it sounds like a great idea for two single people. Why the hell not?

In practice this bit of your OP "Not talking about this being permanent, just until the practical difficulties around you being together were resolved" makes it sound as though one person would want this arrangement to become a proper relationship, and that isn't what being a "fuck buddy" involves.

it's fine if you can handle it. did it during my teens/early 20's and it was great fun. time out with mates not an issue and sex without the "hassle" ,as i saw it at the time, of a girlfriend. perfect scenario.

2both of you in great need of comfort."

this sentence would lead me to believe that at least one of you will want more and it will get complicated