Q&A for How to Make a Platonic Relationship Work

A platonic relationship is an intimate and affectionate but not sexual relationship.

Certainly. There is more than one kind of love, though we tend to focus on romantic love exclusively. If you love the person romantically, then a platonic relationship will definitely be more difficult. You just have to remind yourself how lucky you are to have that person in your life, regardless of the nature of the relationship.

This means that he sees you as someone he enjoys having sex with, but it sounds like he's using you and the other women to satisfy his physical desires without having the responsibilities that come with a relationship.

Talk to him about your feelings. He might stop being platonic if you explain exactly how you feel. If he doesn't feel the same way, don't feel hurt or rejected, but value his friendship.

Not necessarily. A platonic relationship is one without sex or romantic love.

A romance involves a desire to connect on an emotional and physical level. It is usually demonstrated by dates, physical contact, and intimate conversations/interactions.

Then you need to respect it. He's finally doing the right thing - putting his marriage first. Not to mention, what do you expect out of a romantic relationship with him? Do you think his wife would be okay with sharing him, or do you expect him to leave her? If he left her for you, how can you be sure he wouldn't eventually cheat on you too? These questions can highlight some of the problems with seeing a married man. If you want to keep a friendship with him, that's your choice, but you should definitely let the romantic aspect of the relationship go.

No.

Yes.

If the other person has romantic feeling towards you, this could turn into love. But you could risk losing the friendship if the person doesn't like you that way.

No, it isn't a platonic relationship unless she thinks it's platonic as well. You need to be honest with her and tell her if you don't want to be serious or exclusive. This may involve "breaking up" with her as a friend, but it may be necessary. You shouldn't date someone you don't really like just because they want you to.

Not only. It originated from Plato's loving feelings for his male students.

Platonic love by definition is a friendship type of love, or phileo love, which is the Greek word for brotherly. Plato didn't coin the term, Marsilio Ficino did. But I don't know, Plato might have been gay, he lived 3000 years ago. The world may never know.

Yes.

She wants to start a relationship with you. You might try blocking her number because you don't want the problems that may come along with her.

A romantic friendship would be a friendship that is unusually close by Western standards (even sometimes physically), but that is non-sexual.

Platonic means just friends! So he probably has female friends, just not sexual. But if you want you can ask for clarification.

Platonic means no sexual intercourse, just romantic love, maybe holding hands or even a little kiss. From the looks of it, it sounds like he thinks you're not ready yet to have sexual intercourse, he understands you, respects you, and is willing to wait. If that is the case, it looks like he's a really good guy. Don't let anyone pressure you, there's no need to rush. There's also no need to constantly talk about this. Do what you feel like, do what you like. Enjoy your time with him, let him know that you appreciate his effort.

Approach him when he is not in the company of his friends and say hello, and maybe start a conversation.

Platonic relationships can occur between individuals of all genders and sexes.

Yes, many people stay friends after a breakup. As long as you're both comfortable having a friendship, it's perfectly fine.

Maybe. There's no way to say for sure without pursuing something with her, but since you're already in a relationship, you're going to have to decide if it's worth ending things with your current partner. If this new woman is just a passing fling, you may really regret leaving your relationship.

Reconnect with all of your male friends. It sounds suspiciously like you're being manipulated. You have the right to have as many friends as you very well like; male, female, anyone. If he can't handle that, that's his problem, not yours. He may well be isolating you, even if he doesn't actively realize he's doing that.

Platonic means no sex. So no sexual acts, including no touching. It is a relationship of friendship, where partners give emotional and practical support, but there's no exclusivity, and though both partners agree there is or can be sexual attraction, they agreed to not pursue that aspect of life in this relationship. So if you want to touch, then it becomes a 'regular' love, or a friends-with-benefits kind of thing. Or course, no matter what the nature of the relationship, you can never touch anyone without the person's prior permission.

Talk to them and tell them that you understand completely that they're not interested in a romantic relationship, and that you'd like to still be friends. In most cases, this is all it will take. If one or both of you still feels awkward, don't worry, it will likely pass soon enough and things will go back to normal.

The best way to think about this is if you were to put the shoe on the other foot. In other words, how would you feel if your partner expressed such feelings about a platonic friend to you.