As my legions of regular readers will know, I’m not one to boast, but when it comes to friendship, I must admit I am the Rolls-Royce of friends. Fiercely loyal, utterly dependable, and if I ever lie to you, it will be for the noblest, most altruistic of reasons and entirely for your own good. I’ll clean your house, lend you money, give you a job, put you up in my spare room...and should you ever fall ill, I will move into your spare room and nurse you to death.
But before you form an orderly queue, please be advised that all friend positions are currently filled.
About half my friends are male, but a friends with benefits arrangement with any of them would be unthinkable. I dislike blurry lines. Besides, benefits only interest me in an actual romantic relationship. Furthermore, I don't think that sort of thing could work. I mean, honestly, wouldn’t feelings inevitably get in the way?
About ten years ago, I was sitting in my brother’s apartment with one of his friends, enjoying what I thought was companionable silence, when he suddenly asked if I ‘fancied him or anything.’ I was completely thrown but managed to croak something along the lines of "No, not in the slightest… not even if you were the last man on earth." I’d always found him a bit creepy. He shrugged, went back to his video game, and it was never mentioned again.
Alongside a fair few casual pals, I have two close friends I’ve known for almost fifty years. We talk several times a week, and I’d trust them with my life...and my bank codes. They are good people, and I consider the fact that our friendship has endured through thick and thin to be some validation of my worth as a person.
To quote Clarence in 'It's a Wonderful Life,' "No man is a failure who has friends," and this DeeDubbya ain't no failure.
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Posted in response to galenkp's weekend experience
prompt asking: Friends with benefits. What are your thoughts on that arrangement? and A few close friends or many acquaintances? Which do you feel is better
The images are my own but do not necessarily reflect my views.
