I think it's just because of the close contact and kind of bond that forms when cuddling. So that'd make me super uncomfortable. But then again, I really think all of this is situational and depends on the individuals involved.
I think you're spot on about how there's close contact, and sometimes there can be no romantic feelings, but it's still creating that climate for feelings to develop so it's tricky. I'm cautious, I would only cuddle if the situation was black and white like if we maybe liked each other or he's cuddled with others and its clearly platonic. So I agree with you, snuggling up could lead to confusion and mixed feelings if you're not careful.
Friendships can happen anytime to anyone, but the second someone is entering the friendship with the intention of being a potential romantic partner, it sours the friendship.
In essence, yes, it's possible (and it's been done, by myself and a number of my friends,) but to do so you need to be honest and up front with each other and know that there are set boundaries. If one party is unable to comply, then you probably didn't want them as a friend anyway, tbh.
Yeah, I think that's true. You can have a lot of friends, maybe find a few of them cute, but you gotta be guarding your heart and be considerate of that other person. I think it's okay to be friends with a person if you find them cute and want to get to know them better. But it's not good to be friends with a lot of people of the opposite gender and flirt with all of them, unless it's just joking.
I don't know if you can really be friends for a long time, spend one on one time together, and there be no thoughts of transforming the friendship into something more -- one person is probably going to start thinking about it. So, I think it's really hard, especially if you're young or in your early 20's, to build relationships like these.
I think it's awkward to set boundaries, I usually agree to boundaries with myself, like I'll tell myself not to cuddle or jokingly flirt with a guy who I think is interested in me, if I'm not feeling the same way they are. It just isn't fair for that person.
With cuddling, I know it's pretty innocent, but it's not as simple as hugging. And even with hugging, you probably don't go around hugging everyone. So, yeah, knowing boundaries is key. But if someone told me they didn't want to cuddle (I'm usually the one who will deny a cuddling opportunity), I wouldn't take it personally, because everyone is different and I wouldn't want to cause any awkwardness.
I feel you. It can be weird sometimes. But I still love to hug or snuggle up to my guy friends if we're really close, but never in a way where I would regret it later. I don't like to put myself out there, because I don't want them to think that I like them or intentionally cause them to like me when I don't share the same feelings.
If I am not in a relationship, and I befriend an attractive girl, I will always casually flirt and show interest (unless of course they've clearly shut me down or have a boyfriend). The only reason I do this is because I find it opens more doors and relationships. I love meeting new people and being very open and flirtatious helps me do that.
I get you on the flirtatiousness, because I can put up a pretty engaging banter and then realize that I should probably take it down a notch. I'm a friendly person, and I like to make people feel comfortable and important, and that's often diagnosed as flirting in some guys' minds, so I have to be careful and understand the person's sense of humor, otherwise it gets messy.
I've grown up with a guy best friend since kindergarten
+ gained more great guy friends throughout the years with no problems at all, so it's very possible
That's awesome! Guys are great to be friends with. But sometimes feelings develop, because I think the environment for a relationship to blossom is already there. That's why it's so hard to be friends with guys, I almost lost a close friend who opened up about his feelings once we cuddled. But, I realize now that the situation was really poor, I shouldn't have been cuddling with a guy friend alone, because that set up a problem right there. So, yeah, it's possible, but opposite gender friendships have to work with a certain kind of caution.
