Men and Women, can they be just friends.?

[Gary O']

Men and Women, can they be just friends.?​

This topic comes up about once or twice a year

So, I just post what I wrote a decade or so ago
(I think this is the fourth or fifth time)

I may be bent wrong, but.....after several decades, there's no unbending now


Wimin

The most mysterious beings of our planet

I found out long ago, about sixty years or so, that gaining favor with the finer gender of our specie is not necessarily in my best interest.
Whole different frequency
Wired different
Fiber optic vs 9 gauge single conductor
Fascinating, mystical, attractive, you bet
Sensitivities I’d never remotely considered
But, hanging with a group of ladies?

Can’t

Mentally; exhausting

Socially; this ogre doesn’t stand a chance

Spiritually; beyond any reach I may have thought I had

Physically; like looking into the sun, can go blind if obsessing too long

Gaining favor?
Whimsical touches
Nothing of depth
Any more than that and I find myself precariously dangling off a mental precipice

I can do one, maybe two per sitting
and that is mostly because they sense my discomfort to the point of putting forth effort to discuss what I’m interested in
I’ve learned to pick up on this and placate for a bit, then find a way to excuse myself

I don’t avoid ladies, but have learned not to seek them out
It’s what shops are for

I’ve been fortunate

My lady has put up with me for half a century

When I become too much and I (for some unknown reason) anger her,
I found placing my calloused hand on the small of her back will still cause her to flinch
….and she begrudgingly forgives me

We have had this tryst, this romance that has yet to fade

She’s plenty for me

Forever


So, here I remain
Baffled, yet attracted at the mysteries, complexities
A sentry
A defender
A protector
A willing grunt

Keeping the fire

best I can

 

[Ladybj]

I am not sure its so rare. It hasn't been in my experience.

I respect that but in my experience, it's rare that a man and woman can be just friends. Did not say it can not happen but in my experience it's rare. One of them at some point cross the line, which does happen more times than none... jmo. However, if both stick to boundaries, it may work out.

 

[PamfromTx]

The only male friends I ever had were co-employees and/or former classmates. I've always remained close to a few; strictly platonic.

This reminded me of a co-employee who tried his best to conquer my attention. He was the Director of the Operating Room and would make rounds to where I was located at the hospital. After a while, he just gave up. lol Strangest thing is that my husband also worked at this facility. It didn't fade this Casanova, I guess.

 

[grahamg]

My mother used to state unequivocally that they couldn't to the thread question, (much to the amusement of an uncle of my father who claimed to have platonic women friends ).

I do have a couple of good friends who are of the fairer sex, (one in a committed relationship so that's a bit different, but one not yet, nor for a while), so my answer would be "yes", although I accept my mother may have had a point generally. .