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

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

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.

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!

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

Friendship is friendship, it doesn't need to be validated.

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.

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

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

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.

as we take down some very ingrained cultural ideals, about everything, including gender,, Things will get better. Many younger people are moving over to having a very close friend in their lives as their 'one human' instead of dating.

when i lived in germany it wasn't an issue at all; there most of my friends were male. since living in australia it doesn't work for me any more - sexism being pretty much in the way of integrity.

I am pretty sure he can, he just have to find her

Most of my friends are male and my ex husband had plenty of friends. I personally think it's a non-issue.

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

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.

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

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

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

Many Christian faiths are against this as men and women who are unmarried hanging out are not avoiding the "appearance of evil" aka having sex.

I am sure that has an effect overall.

Also jealously can be a factor.

I would love that same kind of friendship. I often wonder why people think having a male friendship needs to involve a physical /sexual / intimate aspect..IT DOES'NT

Why not?? Im sure it happens everywhere..