For many centuries, people have been arguing about whether a man and a woman are capable of having a trusting relationship that doesn’t go romantic. You’ve probably thought about it yourself more than once if you have a girlfriend. It seems like you communicate with her the same way as with your bros, but someone from your company will occasionally throw in a phrase about the groom and the bride. It’s annoying, right? But what if this someone is right, and you’re deceiving yourself? In this article, we’ll figure out whether friendship between a guy and a girl exists, and we’ll give you a couple of useful tips on what to do if you have feelings for your girlfriend. Read to the end.

WHAT DO PEOPLE THINK?
Many people are convinced that a guy and a girl can’t just be friends or budd like here https://18fu.com/chat-ruletka.html – there must be romantic interest behind it on at least one side. So don’t be mad at guys who make fun of you. Yes, it’s cringe, but they’re not trying to hurt you or her – they just think that you can be a couple and think that this way they can help you realize your feelings. Often, they just want the best. There are two options: have a serious talk and explain that you or your friend are uncomfortable with this, or ignore it. Let them joke – don’t pay attention, don’t prove anything.

The stereotype that friendship between a man and a woman is impossible has very old roots. There was a good reason for it to appear: once upon a time, people of different sexes lived completely differently, their roles in society, lifestyle, education and much more were different. In those days, a guy and a girl had very little chance of getting along on anything other than a romantic interest. Now everything is different: you and your girlfriend can play the same game, study together, like the same books, movies, TV series - in short, have a huge number of common interests. That is, in fact, you and her can have the same topics for conversation as with your guy friends. So, there is no difference? Or is there?

WHAT DO PSYCHOLOGISTS THINK?
Scientists have tried to understand this topic more than once. And spoiler: surveys and other studies prove that cross-gender friendship certainly exists, but it has its own specifics. For example, as psychologists have found out, many people perceive it as mutually beneficial cooperation. What does this mean? Let's say you can discuss your relationship with your significant other with your girlfriend, talk about what worries you, and get advice from a person "on the other side" - this is the benefit. There are other features that distinguish friendship between a guy and a girl. Most likely, it will be easier for you to show your weakness in front of a girlfriend than in front of friends of the same sex.

As you understand, this specificity does not mean that friendship is not real or somehow wrong. The fact that it does not exist is just a myth. And it is great if you were able to become truly close spiritually, without having romantic feelings for each other, are ready to support each other and come to the rescue.

IN WHAT CASES IS SUCH FRIENDSHIP DEFINITELY POSSIBLE?
There are situations where the likelihood that the relationship will remain platonic and last for many years is especially high.

• If you have been friends since childhood. For example, you lived next door, played in the same sandbox in kindergarten, and then went to the same school - in short, you have always been together. In such situations, people often perceive each other almost as relatives, a constant, stable element in their lives. And thoughts about the romantic development of relations do not even come to mind. You grew up together, she is like a sister to you - what kind of love is there?
• If you became friends based on common interests. For example, you met in an online game, through a fandom of a popular film franchise, and so on. You are passionate about the same thing - you have something to discuss and do together, and romantic interest is not needed for this at all.
• If you are close in spirit. It happens - you meet a kindred spirit, you understand each other at a glance, and you feel comfortable with the person, even if there are almost no common interests. It happens that this kindred spirit is of the opposite sex and you do not perceive her as a romantic object of love interest at all.
•
DON'T RUSH TO ANSWER THIS QUESTION.
Maybe the guys in the group who tease you are right, and sparks fly between you. You try not to notice them, but for others everything is obvious. Think, try to understand yourself. Are you sure you are not communicating with her because you are internally hoping for a relationship? Maybe friendship is just an excuse to spend more time with her? Statistics say: in cross-gender friendships, guys are more likely to experience feelings - make sure you do not fall into this trap.