Alright, since the "friend zone" has come up several times in the last few posts I wanted to share this. Not because I think it's an exemplary case on how to handle rejection but because I used to fall into similar thought patterns years ago and some lessons that I have learned in the past might help others that find them in similar situations.
1. Make your intentions clear very early on.
2. Don't lie about sex(ual attraction).
3. Learn how to handle rejection.
4. Be honest with yourself.
Thanks for your insight
I was a little bit confused about exactly what you were clarifying, since I thought you were going to explain a situation on where a friend relationship progressed into something more (since that would negate any "friendzone" shit). But I re-read that and I can see what you mean by getting stuff out and moving on.
Now, I have a query for you and anyone else willing to put your 2 cents in.
In this thread I have post a few posts detailing my recent relationship changes, and things that have happened relating to it.
Without going over all that again, I just wanted to gauge what others think of potential outcomes.
Long story short, after becoming single and making an effort to get to know and bond with other Females (I work with) more, one in particular sits in the grey area of my focus. She has always kept work and social very separate, but has made a lot of exceptions for myself.
Without putting my bias on the situation, her and I have a really good bond, good chemistry. If she was a guy, it would be a best mates scenario.
After she suggested we have an after work drink with some other co-workers, we ended up just chatting ourselves (the others left) and she encouraged me to talk about all the stuff that I had on my mind (break up, living alone for the first time etc etc).
Followed up with a dinner at a nice restaurant, all of which I have covered previous, she freaked out and wanted to talk after that night. She was upset and concerned that she "Gave me the wrong impression" and thought we could just do the close friend dinner dates like I do with my other friend (who is getting married and we have a totally neutral platonic thing) and she was worried about how I would react / if her giving me mixed signals would wreck what we had going. I said it was all good and that I didn't / don't have any expectations or "labels" on what we had going.
Had a follow up dinner, that she suggested, went better again (after, from what I gathered, her getting that out and just being able to relax). I too was better in not getting to needy with sharing stuff I had going.
We both talk to each other all the time out of work now, message each other, send each other funny shit etc etc and enjoy each other's company, are honest and supportive of each other, always have a laugh. I am cool with the whole situation and have other Female friends, but this one in particular feels different. Sort of like a bloody movie in the making or something. Went out to lunch today again, then a work meeting and then stayed at work for dinner until late.
I spoke to my close (guy) mate and gave him a quick run down and he said just to go with the flow unless it starts to affect my ability to move forward, see other Ladies etc (which it hasn't so far, as I went ahead with a date with another Lady that I got set up with from another friend, which also went really really well and we have a follow up planned).
Now, I know and respect that this Lady had made it clear that she didn't want to go into dating/relationship territory with anyone and that she thinks I should wait longer before doing so after my previous long term relationship.
I honestly wouldn't even mention it if it were like my other friendships, but it has that "something deeper" feel to it, and we both have mentioned it in some way.
So has anyone ever had this longer, slower / not right now,
thing ever progress or retract? I am not fussed, but I would be lying if I didn't mention that it has crossed my mind.