Do Opposite Sex Friends Temporarily Satisfy the Desire of Having an SO?

[dazed]

Or same sex friends, depending. Thoughts?

[Winter Storm]

My girlfriends and hanging with them most of the time has definitely lowered my desire to have an SO. Yeah, I'd still like to have a loving, meaningful relationship one day, but the void isn't quite so big any more. That probabaly has to do with the fact that all my friends are single, they've had the same trouble I have and we've been having so much fun together and with guy friends that I don't quite notice it anymore.

Valentine's Day we spent together and even exchanged gifts and we agreed that it was more fun than if we would have went on separate dates. I think having a strong social unit of like-minded friends can provide some of the companionship you'd seek in a relationship. It has helped me.

[bridgetjones]

Well they keep you from being so lonely and desparate that you will stay or be with a substandard one.

In my case the sex does not matter. If I liked any of my male pals that way, I'd likely be with them, no?

The BF factor is different than friends. Hey I miss the physical aspect of it more than the companionship aspect. :neutral: :sad:

[dear confused]

Hell no.

Sex and falling in love with a SO is way different need than being buddies. I known some of my friends since high school and even elementary school. I know they will always be there. I can call them at anytime and hang out but that is way different than having a SO.

A SO is a lot more intense in terms of intimacy, commitment and passion. Love is different than friendship. I don't have sex with friends and sex is what I miss.

Friends fill a different need than SO.

Actually as a heterosexual male having female friends can be frustrating. When you want love and sex not just friendship, female friends are sad reminders you are not having sex.

[nat_johnson]

Actually as a heterosexual male having female friends can be frustrating. When you want love and sex not just friendship, female friends are sad reminders you are not having sex.


Well said. I love my female friends, but it does tend to remind me that I'm all alone :sad:

[embrassezla]

my personal experience leads me to answer "yes", in some sense. i have had close male friends at very strategic (read: single and lonely) times in my life that have made those times wonderful. that's not to say they were a "replacement" of sorts for an SO, but it did bridge the gap between SOs nicely.

[cameralady]

Do Opposite Sex Friends Temporarily Satisfy the Desire of Having an SO?
There was a time back in high school that it did. I had a male friend who filled a void in my life created in the aftermath of a sudden crash-and-burn of my first relationship, and abandonment by my female friends who suddenly became preoccupied with their first boyfriends.

I don't think that would work now because I doubt that I could find a platonic male friend.

Or same sex friends, depending. Thoughts?
If there were a friend who is single like me, not actively pursuing a [romantic] relationship, and has (lots of) time to hang out with me. Of course, I fear that if said friend were to ever get a boyfriend, he would become the priority and I'd be left alone again.