Can men and women be friends?

I have a question for men. Sometimes it becomes obvious that a male friend has feelings for me, but I don't share those feelings. Is it ok to keep hanging out with him as friends, or is that considered "leading him on"?

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Comments ( 11 )
  • olderdude-xx

    My best long term friend of over 40 years is female. Yes, we dated back then - and once in the middle - but, it was never right for marriage. We have remained really good friends, and my wife loves me for being able to have such a long term good friend.

    So, yes... you can just be friends - even if once it was romantic and did not work out. You don't have to part as enemies...

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  • Wryladradofft

    The best you can do is just flat out tell him you're just friends. His feelings are more or less out of your control otherwise, but even if he still privately thinks "maybe there is still a chance" he'll most likely get over it and move on given enough time

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  • charli.m

    Yes. Those who claim otherwise are emotionally stunted.

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  • ellnell

    Yes i've had some guy friends admit feelings for me but the difference is some guys will stick around even if you reject them but keep flirting and acting inappropiate while others will stick around because they value friendship and most likely have other friends both male and female already and thing is if they insist they can and want to be friends anyway and they act respectful then it's fine and its also their decision, only they know how strong their feelings are and how important the friendship is to them. You're not leading anyone on if you've clearly stated you're only interested in friendship and you keep clear boundries, if he's a good friend you won't have to anyway though because he'll understand what friends mean and not cross any friendship-boundry.

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  • Whatintarnation

    Well, I'm a male and one of my closest friends is a female. We don't have romantic feelings for each other. Although we have slept together years ago. She's actually engaged to a guy and I'm very happy for her. So I think men and women can be friends. However, if the guy you're friends with also wants to be more than that, it's going to be difficult to be just friends. Drama in your future. Good luck.

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  • bbrown95

    I believe men and women can be friends, and I'm a woman with male friends. As to whether or not you can be just friends with a guy who has romantic feelings for you, that can be complicated and depends on the situation. You need to be very clear that you two are just friends and that is all you will ever be. Sometimes they still don't get it though. I have dealt with that recently, actually.

    I think you can give it a chance after you explain to him that all you are interested in is being friends, but if he doesn't seem to respect your boundaries, then you might have to cut off the friendship, unfortunately.

    Another thing is that some guys simply will not be interested in anything platonic. You can give him the chance to be your friend, and it's up to him whether or not to accept.

    You will not be leading him on as long as you are very clear that your relationship will always be strictly platonic and never lead to anything more. You have to stick to that as well, of course, and not say or do anything that suggests you'd be interested in taking things further.

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  • GaelicPotato

    Yes. Those who can't are emotionally stunted.

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  • a-curious-bunny

    Yea. I have a male friend and there's nothing sexusl between us. He talks about chick's he's into I talk about dudes im into we both shake our heads at the others type. Its great

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  • samanthajade

    yessss this is so annoying how people dont think that it is allowed

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  • Somenormie

    Yes they can.

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  • RoseIsabella

    For a minute there I was thinking you had just watched When Harry Met Sally.

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