I am not sure I understand why you want a female friend particularly for the things you list. Does the friend being female make it better or different? Is the difference because of gender and not because of different personalities?
Personally, my closest friends are all male (I am male). I have female friends, but not very close! Often I get attracted to them and know that they are unavailable and so I maintain a distance. If I don't get attracted to them, there is probably not enough between us to maintain a close friendship. I think that is how it works for me, but I might be wrong.

My Fair Lady has a great song about this...sung by the professor. It does happen but it takes...wisdom?

I think if you would have a female friend, one of you will think about a relationship

Wives and girlfriends don't like it. I have gotten to the point that I won't be seen alone with men that are in relationships (is this how Pence feels?!!) because I have had their ladies assume I had designs on them. No way, no how. I've also had male friends assume that I wanted to have more than friendship and move on me. Damn it, men!

Every male friend I've had always wanted more than friendship.. It just seems to be one of those things.

I would like the same, but I have found at least in my age groups straight guys don't want to be your friend for just pal around stuff if they don't want to shag you.

One of my best friends is a woman. We go out to dinner, go to concerts, etc. No problem.

I thank everyone for their input to my question.

I don’t see why you can’t. I have male friends and we do the same things you mentioned without incident.

I think the issue from men .. they give bad idea about themselves.

My best friend of a little over a decade was inserprabe to me, and we of him. We had some diferent of opinion on some some subgests, be always we didn't have a problem with the differences of what might be. we valudude what we had in common rather than argeuing over some trivial bullshit. He died a few years ago and Couldn't find another that could fill his shoes.

Iv'e made some rather great friends over the last few years, and I am greatful for those that I have met. but I still hasve judgedment on others that I meet because I still compair them to my old best friend.

I know I need to let go and get on with my life,.. But its hard sometimes. real honestly and the bonding really is hard to fill those shoes.

My best friend is a woman. We kissed once, and it was weird! We agreed to let it go & be who we are. I'm kind of metro & she's kind of a dyke, though we're both def straight. I'd kill for her & she'd do the same for me. Best friendship is like a blank check nobody ever wants to cash.

I have not spent any considerable time with anyone over the last 5 years. I can say that having a woman friend just to rationalize some things would be a welcomed normalcy.

It definitely is a slippery slope. I struggled with this in one of my current, closest friendships. What helped was that she already has a boyfriend and that he's actually happy we hang out (long distance relationship dynamic).

In the very beginning, there definitely was an attraction on my part. It ended up being one of the greatest personal growths I've ever had. It forced me to really dig deep about my feelings (I've never told her about them). If anything, the way I see it, I worked hard to convert the attraction I felt into a different, much more platonic kind of love; through it all, I learned there are different kinds of love, and that it is possible (though tricky at first) to just be friends. All in all, as mentioned before, be honest with her, and most importantly yourself through it all.

Hope my half ramble helped a bit

It’s not so much an issue, I just don’t think it’s all to common. I typically see it as men like to spend time with people they have the most in common with and can identify with, other men. While it’s not impossible for women to be included in that, I think men just enjoy the company of someone who isn’t so opposite of them.

I had occasion to count up my personal friends yesterday and of the 6 that knock on my door regularly, 4 were women. One is an ex and the rest are platonic. Not saying that I would not if they asked (ex excluded) but no means no and till they change their minds thats how it will stay. This is not an ulterior motive just that if I find a woman attractive, I will tell her so. Its up to her where she takes that.
The most important thing in this is, I enjoy the company of women period. I like to talk and listen to them. They speak so differently than us guys. It is almost like another language. Mens conversation is so easy. Its upfront, out in plain sight, sport, politics etc. Women are much more subtle and personal. It adds another dimension to any subject, which I personally find fascinating.
Bottom line is, if you want women friends, you have to like them for who they are.

I have women friends. In fact, I am more comfortable around women. I find my male friends to be self absorbed. Always talk about their problems. Not as considerate of others. Never got the male bonding thing of going to bars or playing cards.

I have a few too few of such female friends. It makes appreciation of them so much greater knowing how rare they are. One in particular is a best friend relationship as close as it gets without sexual intimacy.

We once had it as well but mutually recognized some differences in living and outlook that weren't a 'fit' at that level.

We are afflicted by religiously and patriarchally based social canon and erroneous notions that prevent both formation and salvation of close heterosexual, platonic friendships.

Barriers can be overcome with honest examination and refusing to allow others who are not part of the friendship to interfere. It's no easy task for those who've already succombed to being 'saddled' and branded.

I can dig it! Always wanted to be treated like one of the guys.

I think you can but you have to be very upfront about it right to the point of either saying yes or no to "friends with benefits" I have quite a few male friends and we are just friends

Men and women can be friends. Believe it or not, not every woman out there is out for a relationship. I'd love to meet a guy to just pal around with.

I have had a few male friends, have one now but I know if I said lets take it further he would. But we have a good friendship.

I think they can. In fact I think a lot of women would welcome it. However you must mean it, on both sides

I think it is only natural for men and women to find some ‘more than friends’ attraction to each other. Obviously sometimes it’s felt more by one than the other. But yes. It’s important to communicate early and as often as required to ensure one is not misenturputing something from the other if one is not interested if becoming more intimate.

Good question. The parties involved have to make the relationship clear from the beginning and admit if there are any attractions other than platonic.