Young people

Friendships with the Opposite Sex

Some people will tell you that boys can't be good mates with girls (and vice versa) without something more passionate happening. It’s not true!

For some the idea of a mixed sex friendship is weird, but that's probably because they've never had one before.

Being mates with someone of the opposite sex can be great. You can talk without all the competitive edge that you sometimes have with other mates.

Just like a friendship with someone of the same sex, there are rules you need to follow to make sure the friendship stays on the right track.

The first thing you to need to be sure of is exactly what you and your mate want out of a relationship. You may be really happy that you have a good friend without realising they want something more. The key to any relationship, whether a simple friendship or a love affair, is communication. So make sure you tell each other how you are feeling.

If you want something more from the friendship - be honest about it – if it doesn't work out the way you want you might still be able to stay friends.

If a night out gets heavy, you might turn laughs into lust.

It's not unusual for mates of the opposite sex to accidentally snog in the heat of the moment. If your friendship is strong you will probably be able to laugh about this kind of thing the day after. Make sure you are honest about what happened and you can carry on with your friendship without loads of hidden feelings getting in the way.