Episode 7 - Can Men and Women Actually Be Just Friends? (Or Is Someone Secretly in Love?)

Do you have any friendships with someone of the opposite gender? Have you previously? How did that go? How does your spouse feel about opposite gender relationships? I'd love to hear all y'alls takes on this. I have an opinion but I won't divulge. Many have pros to point out in an intragender friendship, and they're right. On the contrary, many have cons to point out, and wouldn't ya know it, they're right, too! I think each of us is likely different in our lifestyle and friendship style and ability to have a friend of the opposite sex. It also depends on our relationship status, I think.

Before we get too much farther into this discussion (which could go on for days), let's talk about the pros in having an intragender (did y'all know I made that word up) relationship. Enjoy the short clip :)

✅ PROS – AKA: Why It’s Totally Possible… Kinda

1. Built-in Spy on the Opposite Gender

• Need dating advice? Boom — you’ve got a double agent on the inside.
• “So when he said ‘lol’… was he laughing or plotting my emotional destruction?”

2. Emotional Yin & Yang

• One brings the tears, the other brings the “just break up with them” energy.
• It’s like therapy, but unpaid and involves pizza.

3. No Drama Over Toilet Seats

• You get male/female bonding without arguing over seat positions, decorative pillows, or which side of the bed is “yours.”

4. Romantic Insight Without the Risk of a Breakup

• Your friend of the opposite sex can decode texts like:
  “He said ‘k.’ What does that MEAN?!”
  (Them: “It means he’s a red flag in cargo shorts. Run.”)

5. Society-Shocking Combo

• You can walk down the street together and blow everyone’s mind when you don’t hold hands.
  “Wait… they’re not dating? Are they okay?”

So there you had the pros of an intergender friendship, furthermore supporting those in favor of males and females being able to remain in the friend zone. Now let's talk about some of the cons of an intergender friendship, lending support to those who feel that males and females cannot be just friends without someone in the duo taking things out of the friend zone. Enjoy the clip!

❌ CONS – AKA: Why This Could Implode Like a Bad Tinder Date

1. The Sneaky Feelings Plot Twist

• One of you might catch feelings like a cold in winter.
  “We were watching Netflix and next thing I knew… BAM. Emotional confusion.”

2. Jealous Partners Be Like 😡

• “Who’s Ashley?”
  “My friend.”
  “You mean your secret crush?”
  “She’s literally engaged!”
  “TO WHO, YOU?!”

3. Everyone Thinks You're Dating Anyway

• Grandma, coworkers, the barista...
  “Aww, you two are so cute together!”
  (You: “We’re just trying to order lattes, Linda.”)

4. Accidental Flirting Happens

• “Did you just call me ‘dude’ in a sexy tone?”
  “I was offering you gum.”

5. Emotional Support Hotline (aka You)

• You didn’t sign up to be their unpaid therapist, but here you are, hearing about Becky… again.
  “Bro, she ghosted you five times. She’s not dead. She’s just... uninterested.”

6. The “Why Aren’t You Dating?” Pressure

• “You get along so well!”
  “Because we’re FRIENDS, Cheryl. FRIENDS.”

And that about sums it up, both the pros and the cons of having a male/female friendship only relationship. Which side of the argument do you fall on? Do you have an opinion one way or another? Maybe you actually have a friendship with someone of the opposite sex! 

Can men and women really just be friends? Science says yes. Netflix says no. And your ex says ‘absolutely not.’ So, what do YOU think? Comment below before someone develops a crush. again. I'd love to hear what y'all think!