james123 Posted May 22, 2007 Posted May 22, 2007 Does platonic refer to only close friendships between a guy and a girl, or any friendship between the opposite sexes? And, do you believe a guy and a girl can be just friends?
Trimmer Posted May 22, 2007 Posted May 22, 2007 Well, it's really just a label, and it depends on the person using it. I think you'll find it used in several different ways. If someone asks if a woman is your girlfriend, you might respond "no, it's strictly platonic." In this sense, it simply means non-sexual, non-romantic. "Just friends." I've also heard it applied to opposite-sex roommates: as in "platonic roommates" to distinguish from a couple that is "living together." On the other hand, I've also heard use of the term "Platonic love" which implies an emotional closeness and intimacy that exists between minds and hearts but again without the sexual or physical element. So unless you go back and study Plato, (which I admit I haven't,) my impression is that our modern usage generally conveys "non-romantic, non-sexual." Like you say, just friends, and possibly, although not necessarily, close ones. More interesting to me is: why are you asking? Has someone labelled you this way, and you're wondering what it means?
Author james123 Posted May 22, 2007 Author Posted May 22, 2007 no, I was just wondering about the exact meaning of the term, ie whether it refers to close friends, or simply friends of the opposite sexes.
Diamonds&Rust Posted May 22, 2007 Posted May 22, 2007 Plato says that, too. And yes, a guy and a girl can be just friends.
Yamaha Posted May 22, 2007 Posted May 22, 2007 Sure you can have platonic relationships with women. It helps if your not sexually attracted to them but it can be done if you really desire their friendship. The term platonic refers to a relationship in which the sexual element is not present but their is a close bond of the mind and spirit.
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