Friendships with the opposite sex

[EcclesCake]

I have spent almost my entire working life with people of the opposite sex. As I have moved from one job to another I have kept in touch with the ones who have become friends. Periodically I meet up with old colleagues, I even stay overnight at their home.

Having just mentioned to a friend that I am seeing an old colleague and am spending the night at his house, my friend is horrified. Is it really that weird to spend the night under the same roof as a good friend of the opposite sex.

BTW this is not new, I often meet him for drinks or dinner without anything untoward occurring.

[andy-hughes]

The problems you are encountering are because a lot of people rely on sterotypes, and feel comforted by them. Therefore, it suits such people to believe that platonic relationships are either a lie, or if not, they are on the verge of becoming sexual, because platonic friendships are something out or library books.

Of course, as you, and the previous posters know, this is nonsense, so you should simply ignore your friend's shock at you 'frightening the horses' with your behaviour.

If you are feeling mischievous, you could always pull her string gently. get on the subject of your night, and when she asks what happened, say "Well, you know ..." and smile. You are not lying, she is willing to make up something you are not saying - that does depend on your relationsship with her, your sense of humour, and your sense of security. If you are uncomfortable, then say nothing to anyone, and let them be the immature ones.

It is 2012 for heaven's sake!!!!!!!!

Oh, and make sure one of you always keeps one foot on the floor at all times, and that the door remains wide open!!!!!!!!

[DTCwordfan]

Come off it all critics, Eccles is a big girl with her friends, she knows the score and it is perfectly ok to have non-sexual relationships with the other sex. Go for it EC!

I have very good friends and have regularly stayed with them when her hubbie has been away for days. It's almost woman to woman, except I am male (I think) as I know all about her and her issues, sexual and non, and vica versa. Nothing, absolutely nothing, has ever gone on between us. And this is not the only female friend that I have or have had such a relationship with.

[joko]

i do always find it weird when people are shocked at this sort of thing.
i used to have a lot more male friends than female...
but sadly as they get older and meet girls and have wives etc we drift apart somewhat and i now have more female friends than male -
in fact although i hav eloads of male friends i see often in the pub etc and go to parties etc, in terms of the ones i actually phone to arrange a night out - they are usually my gay ones...

[Kiki-frog]

Definitely not at all odd. I have several friends who just happen to be men. It's your friend who's a bit odd really.