Do you have a girl best friend? Or perhaps a boy best friend? Have you ever thought of them as more? When is something funny merely a laugh between friends, and when is it an attempt to rizz you up? It is an undeniable fact that friendships require some level of attraction. You see good qualities or matching personality traits, similar characteristics or identical playlists, and that is what attracts you to them. Sometimes, this platonic attraction between friends can spillover into romantic attraction. Many can relate to the “I-need-to-tell-you-something” conversation.
When dealing with a romantically ambiguous situation, it is important to create boundaries. You must create a boundary, implement it, and respect it. These could look like:
- Being clear with your intentions. There is no need for mixed signals. You need to reach a point where platonic is not ironic.
- Respecting the other person’s relationship (if they are in one). Don’t undermine their partner or suggest that you would approach a situation better.
- Keep the affection appropriate. Hugs and casual touch are all fun and games, but lingering glances and a squeeze that is just too long can cause problems.
- Mind your frequency and timing on the phone. Try to avoid late-night calls and midnight texts, or, at least, make sure it is not every night.
- There is no need for flirty banter. Your conversations are fine as they are. They do not need suggestive undertones. Whatever you say to your friend should be okay to say in front of their partner.
- Nothing they say is that funny.
- Avoid private spaces. Do not put yourselves in situations that have the potential to be intimate.
Ultimately, friendships are too valuable to lose over what could be a two-month fling of toxicity and a myriad of flashing red flags. Of course, we would love a friends-to-lovers trope, but let it happen organically. Platonic love is just as strong as romantic love, and it can sometimes be even stronger. You do not have to love someone romantically. Sometimes, you can just love.
