Can Men and Women Be “Just Friends”? New Survey Says Yes—and No.
The new movie Ticket to Paradise, starring George Clooney and Julia Roberts as best friends who are married to other people, opens in select theaters tonight and wide tomorrow. The…
The new movie Ticket to Paradise, starring George Clooney and Julia Roberts as best friends who are married to other people, opens in select theaters tonight and wide tomorrow. The pair's on-screen friendship has us all wondering: Is it really possible for men and women to be "just friends," or will one person always want to take the relationship to the next level physically?
To get to the bottom of this centuries-old question, there was a poll done by 100 adults of all ages, backgrounds, and relationship statuses the following survey questions: "Is it possible for a man and woman to just be friends or will one person always want to take the relationship to the next level physically? Are you allowed to have friends who are members of the opposite sex? Have you had to give up friends after getting married or being in a committed relationship? Was your friend a dealbreaker?"
a) Here are some of the most interesting survey results:
· 100% of respondents said they have at least one friend of the opposite sex.
· 70% of respondents said they have had to give up a friendship after getting married or being in a committed relationship.
· 30% of respondents said their spouse or partner was not okay with them having friends of the opposite sex.
· 10% of respondents said they have ended a relationship because their partner was not okay with them having friends of the opposite sex.
b) In light of these results, experts were asked to weigh in on whether men and women can really be "just friends." Here's what they had to say:
c)Dr. Jane Greer, marriage and family therapist and author of What About Me? Stop Selfishness From Ruining Your Relationship, says that while men and women can be friends, there is always the potential for one person to want more. "The fact is that even if both parties go into the friendship knowing that there will be no romance, over time, as they get to know each other better and feel more comfortable with each other, things can change," Dr. Greer explains. "One person may develop feelings for the other and then resentment sets in when those feelings are not reciprocated."
d) But not everyone agrees that men and women can't be "just friends." Dr. Gail Saltz, a clinical psychiatrist and author of The Power Of Different, says that it is possible for men and women to remain platonic friends—but it requires work. "It's definitely possible for men and women to be 'just friends,' but it requires boundaries," Dr. Saltz explains. "Each person needs to manage their own attraction level by communicating honestly if they start developing feelings—feelings which might very well be mutual—and cut off any physical intimacy beyond what would be considered 'safe.'"
e) So there you have it! It seems like whether or not men and women can be "just friends" is still up for debate—but we'll leave that decision up to you.
What do you think? Can men and women really be "just friends", or is there always an underlying attraction...? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
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Slap Fighting Now Legal In Nevada And We Are Slap Happy About It! (VIDEOS)
Usually when you hear about a "wind up", you're about to watch a 99 mile per hour fastball. Not so much with slap fighting.
Well, the internet phenomenon just got the green light from the Nevada State Athletic Commission and soon, professional slap fighting matches will be taking place right here in the Las Vegas valley.
If you haven't seen slap fighting for yourself, you're missing out! Two brave competitors square off. One competitor gives the other a big, monstrous thunderclap of an open-handed slap. If their victim survives that, he or she gets to return the favor. This goes back and forth until either one of the competitors say "uncle," or they just get knocked out. Yes. You can get knocked out by slapping.
Who is bringing the sport here?
The push to bring the sport to Nevada was led by none other than UFC President Dana White. He and others have begun the "Power Slap League" that will bring the viral sport to life in the states. The NSAC has to give the greenlight to all sports like this in order to approve rules and guidelines for the sport to fall under. From weight classes to medical requirements. This is the first time the sport will have been properly regulated.
The ownership group for "Power Slap League" includes White, Lorenzo and Frank Fertitta (the former owners of the UFC before selling to WME-IMG), a hedge fund, a TV producers and others.
So, when will we see the slaps fly? Sooner than you think. They hope to have the first event lined up inside the UFC Apex facility by the end of the year with a "major broadcast partner".
If you haven't seen what slap fighting is all about, prepare to giggle uncontrollably. Here are some of the most incredible matchups you'll ever see aside from a telenovela.
Vasily "The Dumpling"'s Best Knockouts
Obviously a mismatch in weight classes here. This is where having the NSAC involved will be a good thing.
That Earthquake Was Him Hitting The Floor
How can you not watch this and feel all the emotions at once. Shock, horror, hilarity... it's all there.
Look At That Beard!
Truly though, beards should be banned from the sport. The PED of slap fighting. It's like a hairy cushion for the slap to land on.
Slaps Are For The Ladies Too
Just like the UFC, the women can square off in slap fighting as well. We want nothing to do with the receiving end of these slaps. Ouch.
Even Reality TV Stars!
OK, so to be honest I don't know who these two are. But... the one girl looks like Topanga. And you should never slap Topanga.
SCHLAPPPP
Again, this is a real sport that is coming to Nevada. Sure, we are sliding into "Idiocracy," but it'll be fun on the way.
