Platonic friendships, are they possible?
Having friendships is a great way to go through life. Sometimes there is a want for a platonic friendship. This means no romance between the two friends; even through they are of the opposite gender. Many have wondered if platonic friendships are possible. Are they possible in this day and age? Everywhere we look in the world there is romance between man and woman. Movies will show how a man and a woman cannot live together and be only friends. They may start out platonic but end up romantic.
There are ways that a platonic friendship can work. Platonic can be intimate and affectionate, without being romantic. Really good friendship, the kind you have with your best friend are intimate in an "I know all the intimate details of your life" kind of way. Most of the time these friendships are with members of the same gender. But sometimes a person has a better connection with someone who is of the opposite gender. This is when platonic friendships are not only possible, but can be beneficial.
Having a platonic friendship is possible when a genuine friendship is started. The friendship can't be based on "I think he's cute." For platonic friendships to work the friends need to be just that, friends. Friends have common interests or hobbies. Friends may have the same exercise tactics, or possibly children the same age. Friend doesn't have to mean the same gender. Friends can be platonic and the opposite gender. A friend listens and helps out when you need it. Platonic or not, we all need friends.
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A platonic friendship is the result of two people who want to get together and have a good time being themselves. As long as both friends in the platonic friendship are mutually agreed that there is no romance, just true friendship, the platonic friendship is possible.
Platonic friendships, are they possible when there is a one sided attraction? No, this is when platonic friendships are not possible. The platonic friendship may be possible for a short time, but realistically, the friendship cannot continue with one side of the friendship always wishing they were the object of their friends' affection. This will cause contention and eventually end in an unhappy way for both friends.
This doesn't mean you can't be friends with members of the opposite gender. You can be friends; just don't expect to be the best of friends. Your platonic friendship will consist of casual meetings with mutual friends, maybe the occasional help each other out. But this will usually need to involve others especially if one side of the friendship has romantic feelings towards the other
Sometimes there is chemistry between platonic friends that cannot be ignored. This will most likely develop into a romance between the friends. Just remember that your platonic friendship will never return to what it was. There will be an awkwardness in the friendship if there is a break-up after the romance.
Platonic friendships are best when they can stay platonic and never cross the romantic line. There are so many people out there to date, don't date your friends. The platonic friend became your friend because the two of you were alike in fun and active ways, keep your good friends and find a date somewhere else.
There are times when the platonic friendship started out being romantic and the two decided they are better off as friends. In this case platonic friendships are possible if you are careful with your new dates. A date new into the relationship may be intimidated by the former romantic interest always hanging around. Be assured in your new romantic interest and be honest. This will be the best solution for making platonic friendships work after a romance.
Platonic friendships, are they possible? In most cases they are. The friendship may not last long if romance ever comes into it, but you can be friends. You became friends because you liked each other for reasons other than romance, keep it that way.
