Personally, intimacy freaks me out.

I prefer to keep people at a distance, so with sex, that's still possible.

Intimacy involves another lay of vulnerability that I'm more reluctant to allow.

Sex is the act. Anyone can have that. Intimacy is far more, adding an emotional connection, trust and wanting to return the same.

As the old commercial for Reese's candy bars goes, two great tastes that taste great together.

To me, sex is simply putting whatever parts together for pleasurable feelings. This can be done without knowing one another's names, or much else about each other. You might never kiss, or look into each other's eyes. And it might last only a minute or two, or maybe all night - but just long enough ...

Whereas intimacy involves at least a fairly strong mutual liking, caring, and wanting to please. Gazing at one another. Pillow talk. Tender touch. Desire for more time together. All those lovely interchanges ! And very likely enough attachment to have a life together beyond the bed (or wherever).

One is not necessarily better than the other. All depends on what people are seeking at any given time.

Honestly, I couldn't care less about having sex. Intimacy honestly is all ive ever wanted in life

Sex by itself is good. When there's intimacy with it is way better.

Each one separate is nice... Both together is amazing...

Yes

I don't think there is anything more intimate than someone seeing your genitals...do you mean emotional intimacy?

I think you can have sex just for the fun and physical without getting tied into emotional intimacy, but, like I said, seeing you in your glory is kinda intimate...

I also think you can be intimate without sex...just being close to someone, sharing thoughts, etc. A hug or a kiss can be intimate or not...

Also sex can happen right away - intimacy takes time to develop. And I have had intimate relationships that were never sexual - so yeah, not mutually exclusive but best together if possible.

It is possible to have either sex or intimacy without the other. However, sex is best when there is intimacy as well.

Intimacy

noun

1. Close familiarity or friendship; closeness. "The intimacy between a husband and wife."

Synonyms: closeness, togetherness, affinity, rapport, attachment, familiarity, friendliness, friendship, amity, affection, warmth. "The sisters reestablished their old intimacy."

2. A private cozy atmosphere. "The room had a peaceful sense of intimacy about it."

3. An intimate act, especially sexual intercourse.

Sex

noun

1. (Chiefly with reference to people) sexual activity, including specifically sexual intercourse."He enjoyed talking about sex."

Synonyms: sexual intercourse, intercourse, lovemaking, making love, sex act, (sexual) relations.

They can be mutually exclusive, but everything is more fulfillng when you have both.