Do you have any male friends?

[Invasionofthegutsnatchers]

I thought I did
Thought we were in the friend zone.
He has feelings for me. I'm upset that the friendship might be over now.

Do platonic friendships exist?

Yes. Several.

Not really no.

When I was younger, either they or I (mostly them) would end up making a pass (alcohol or emotion or whatever). I gave up and have always kept blokes at an arms length since.

To be fair, my boundaries were shit then, and I don't entirely trust that I've fixed them now.

Yes, 4. And shocker...we spend time alone together and don't have sex

I've had a number of male friends in the past but walked away from all of them because they developed feelings. Why we are told women are the ones who catch feelings, I don't know.

Even if they just wanted a shag, they should have known it was going to change the dynamic of the friendship! Two of them have been husband's of my friends. One - I no longer see either of them after he told me he loved me. The other, she told me she knew it wasn't my fault, we are still friends and they are still together. I see him with her but never have any contact with him otherwise which is a shame because he and I have a medical condition in common and it was nice to have someone else to talk to about it.

I have a male friend now who is a childhood friend of an ex. We are close and, fortunately, my boyfriend and he get on well. it's entirely platonic and I hope I've told him how disappointed I've been in previous male friends for him to never come out with the same crap. Although he did hint at something early on when ex and I split up.

I do still have male friends but I'm incredibly careful about them. I haven't had a single one who hasn't tried it on or declared feelings at some point.

LOL 🤣

I had a really close male friend and it was totally platonic - we just got on really well.

But then he got a girlfriend and she was very jealous of me and was convinced I was trying to 'steal' him. Things got very awkward for a while and I had to distance myself because I didn't want all the drama.

They're broken up now, but he has moved away and the friendship never really recovered which I was sad about.

Yes I have a few straight male friends, most of whom are happily married with children, I am happily in my relationship. It is all completely platonic.
My DPs best friend is a girl he was at school with.

I have a couple, but I have found it can be a tricky dynamic once everyone gets into a relationship. One male friend in particular, I can tell his partner isn’t a fan of me although I have tried she is just a bit awkward to speak to and probably thinks I am attracted to him (everyone else is). It’s a shame because I adore him as a friend. He is a good looking guy but I’ve never fancied him at all, despite everyone else falling at his feet! I just love him like a sibling. I secretly hope he meets somebody who is more kind and suited to him. Other male friend’s partner is an amazingly kind woman who I also love.

One straight male friend who I had a brief thing with 30+ years ago. Several gay male friends

I've got loads of male friends and my partner has loads of female friends too. I actually talk about my personal issues more with male friends as they tend to give the best advice from a mans perspective. All are very much friends and there are no other feelings, no flirting etc. I guess i'm quite lucky that I get on with most people and dont see gender as an issue

Yes but I’d be lying if there haven’t been times when one of us wanted more from it ( fortunately those times have just never coincided- ha ha). I’d say I have a tonne of male acquaintances and I get on well
with my friends’ male partners etc. but really have only the one good male friend who I would confide in etc. interestingly in a couple of cases I have started off being friends with the guy and then ended up being better friends with their gf/ wife.

It's possible to be platonic, but there are also plenty of examples when one person or both develop feelings. It's just how we are wired.

Your mate fancying you doesn't change the basic fact that many men and women are platonic friends. Of course it's possible.

Loads. From all sorts of places, socially, from work, from gigs, from pubs, from internet forums, from night classes, from uni. All sorts.

Yes, several. Some have drifted apart the way friendships do but nothing to do with having feelings. I think only one has ever tried it on with me but we continued being friends after I rebuffed him. And I see them separately from my partner (shock horror)

So women can't have male friends without their husband present? Absolutely nuts.

Yes! Lots, of all ages. Old work colleagues I've kept in touch with, regulars in the pub I'm a regular in, neighbours, members of the club I'm in...

Most men aren't interested in me in a romantic or sexual way, and I'm certainly not looking for any extra-curriculars, so it has never been a problem in all the years I've been married. When I was younger and obviously more available, it was harder to maintain 'friends only' relationships, but that was my fault as often as the men's.

Yes 3 very close ones

I have a few very good male friends I've know since we were at school. My husband also has a few female friends.

Yes, out of my ' closest' friends group half are straight makes. We've managed to navigate 20 years of friendship without confessing love for each other.

I have in the past but they've always tried it on.

Nope- not for fear of my husband not liking them or anything suspicious, I just am a girls girl.

some people really live in the past.

I have close male friends I have known fir nearly 40 years. Entirely platonic and always will be.

I'm not saying it's not possible but this proves nothing. Op didn't have sex with her male friend and he still fancies her.

Yes several. Completely platonic and always have been