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Unicorns, Mermaids, Platonic Friends – do they really exist? Sure they do – in our own little make-believe world they do.

Okay, let me tone down my sarcasm, but I know most of us have asked whether or not a man and woman (or two people of the same sexual orientation) who are reasonably attractive and unattached can be just friends. Most would say no, and I can’t say that I blame them. I’m not saying it’s NOT possible, but for those who are skeptics, let’s break down the reasons why many believe PURELY platonic friendships are not possible. Consider the scenario.

Boy meets girl and girl is charmed by his non-threateningly, secure masculinity. He’s not overbearing or overtly sexual and comes across as a “nice guy.” After a brief conversation, she realizes that he watches all her favorite shows (Scandal, Love & Hip Hop Atlanta and any other show a man with machismo would never admit to watching). Boy and girl go out to eat, shop at the mall and become friends. Not lovers. Not even “friends with benefits.” They’re really just friends. Boy and girl are each other’s permanent back-up weekend companions and they never cross that line. Ever.

So like mermaids and unicorns, we feel that the likelihood that two available, attractive, sexual people who are strictly platonic friends actually exists is, well, ridiculous…right? Here’s why:

  • Men and women don’t usually actively seek friends of the opposite sex. Now don’t get me wrong, I’ve always had male friends  and sometimes, I even prefer them. But I’ve never tried to become “just friends” with an available, heterosexual male that I find attractive just because. The majority of my male friends are married, unavailable, gay or are co-workers I can’t date because I definitely don’t cross that line. Anyone not falling into those categories are men who I put in the “friend zone” because I wasn’t feeling them the same way or vice versa.
  • If given the opportunity, most men (not all, but most) who aren’t in a committed/monogamous relationship will sleep with pretty much any available, reasonably attractive woman.  If he’s already friends with her, that’s like icing on the cake. They may not actively want to or think about it every second of the day, but given the right situation, they would happily do it. The fact they they “would” pretty much negates the whole “platonic” thing.
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