Can be there a friendship between man & woman?

[Lisa]

Is it possible to be friends and only the friends?
I think It can be some kind of friendship between man & woman only in that case if even one of them is in a relationship or a gay. In any other case - you'll meet many situations when it's possible to "upgrade" your friendship. But is it worth doing that?
So is it possible for man & woman to be friends without any sexual attraction?
What do you think about that?

[Helen]

I have a lot of men friends, but you are right they are my "company friends". When I was single, it was really impossible to stay just a friend - there was something like flirt between us:)

[Svetlana]

I have some friends but they can not be so close as women:)

[Julie]

I used to think that it was possible when both parties were single. From my own experience, I used to work in an office where I was the only girl and everyone else was from the opposite sex. I adopted them all as big brothers, and later found out that all of the single guys, and even some of the ones who were in a relationship, all had a crush on me. I was so shocked, and a bit sad that I couldn't just be friends without any kind of sexual attraction involved. I had to distance myself, of course because I didn't want to lead them on. I enjoyed being single and wasn't ready to be in a relationship at the time, but didn't want to limit myself to just girlfriends. It's an interesting question. I used to be one of those girls who believed it was possible, but looking back on my past, I can't name any of my guy friends who were single and just liked me as a friend unless he was gay.

[Helen]

I can see that we all had faces this problem:)
So? What is the conclusion? Is it impossible? Are there any different opinions or examples?

[Oksana]

I think this friendship is possible only in some rare cases, but usually one side (a man or a woman) has some interest in another side:) I can even say that women want to have friendship with men but men don't. So, if you have a friend who is a boy than I think he probably wants more...

[Lisa]

And what about romantic relationships between friends? Me and my boyfriend were "friends" at first - and now we are happy together. So maybe the friendship between man and woman is just a beginning of love?

[Barbara Siragusa]

I think friendship can be possible between man and woman in some cases. My brother is a great example. He and his wife of 16 years divorced, and have remained the best of friends. She just didn't want to be married any more. I am more friendly with my ex husband now than we were when we were married!! I think he was an unemotional husband, who couldn't fulfill my emotional needs, but as soon as we were divorced, there was no stress of the marriage. Unfortunately now it is a bit awkward to be his friend with my new partner in the picture!! On the other hand, an ex boyfriend of mine who knew that we could not have a future because I lived in the US and he lived in Scotland, he promised that he would be ok if I met someone and married, and when I did he became a stalker. So, each case is different I would think.

[GlamourGirl]

I have a lot of guy friends but I havent experienced falling inlove with a guy friend. Maybe bacause Im committed. I dont see anything wrong falling in love with a friend. It's even good to start as friends. friendship is the foundation of love.