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Opposite Sex Friendships - What Do YOU Think?

I actually have strong feelings on this topic! I no longer believe men and women can be platonic friends. I am single and only have one male friendship with a gay man from college, there is truly no danger at all of anything happening. There are straight men I am friends with from college or previous jobs, but I limit my contact with them to emails and online messaging. A high school friend who is male contacted me last year, we found out we now live in the same neighborhood. He told me in an online message " I don't think we can date since you are Catholic and I am athiest, but we can hang out." I thought it was a bizarre thing to start a conversation with to being with, but I wrote him back that I have a personal policy of only having female friends, but would be glad to be Facebook friends. He told me he was surprised, but understood. Once in a while he will send me a funny Baby Yoda meme and I will sent one back. Nothing has come of it and never will.

I like having crystal clear boundaries in life. It may seem harsh, but I think it provides a LOT of clarity. It has also made me better invest in my female friendships. While I love getting dressed up and meeting female friends out for lunch/dinner, I also enjoy hosting them at my home. It is a TRUE " Girl's Night." We wear sweats/loungewear, no makeup, eat pizza and watch Lifetime or Hallmark and chat. I leave a clean blanket out for each person to snuggle in. Maybe we have a cocktail or some hot tea. I enjoy these night immensely as do my female friends. I also realized that if I would not be comfortable hosting someone at my home dressed and behaving in this manner, we cannot be friends. So that takes ALL men out for me!

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Filiberto Hargett

Update: 2024-12-04