Can married men and women just be friends?

abe
By abe

Can married men and women just be friends with the opposite sex?No. 'It's not impossible; it's impractical'

I know it doesn't sound fair or politically correct, but married men and women simply cannot be friends with the opposite sex. It's not impossible; it's impractical. I'm sure that somewhere out there at least one person has managed to pull it off, but it can be pretty risky, and given all of the other obstacles your marriage has to face, why add the temptation of friendship with the opposite sex?

What do you say?

By anonymous• 6 Nov 2008 20:43
Rating: 4/5
anonymous

California bans same-sex marriage

The ruling puts in doubt thousands of same-sex marriages that have taken place in California

Californian voters have chosen to ban same-sex marriage, months after it was legalised by the state's top court.

The measure restricting marriage to heterosexual couples gained 52% support - more than 5.1 million votes - with nearly all precincts declaring results.

Twenty-seven US states already ban same-sex marriage. California's legal approval had seen thousands of gay couples wed there since May.

State Attorney General Jerry Brown has said those marriages will remain valid.

Legal challenges to the measure, known as Proposition 8, are likely.

The referendum called for the California constitution to be amended by adding the phrase that: "Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognised in California."

Bitter campaign

The ballot measure was keenly fought with more than $70m spent on advertising by both sides - breaking national records for campaigning on a social policy initiative.

People have stood up because they care about marriage and they care a good deal

Frank Schubert Proposition 8 supporter

The BBC's Peter Bowes in Los Angeles says that for many liberal Californians, on a day when Barack Obama was swept to victory, the election was a bittersweet experience.

He said they won the White House - but lost on an issue many believed had already been resolved by the courts.

Conservative groups have welcomed the ban.

"People believe in the institution of marriage" said Frank Schubert, co-manager of the Yes on 8 campaign.

There has been enormous movement in favour of full equality

Kate Kendall Lesbian rights campaigner

"It's one institution that crosses ethnic divides, that crosses partisan divides."

But gay rights supporters vowed to fight on.

Kate Kendall, executive director of the National Center for Lesbian Rights said "there has been enormous movement in favour of full equality in eight short years".

"That is the direction this is heading, and if it's not today or tomorrow, it will be soon," she added.

Florida and Arizona also backed proposals to ban gay marriage, by 62% and 56% respectively, on 4 November.

Other proposals

The measure was among 153 state-level proposals up for vote on US presidential election day.

Other measures under consideration by 36 states ranged from initiatives on gambling, drug laws and stem cell research to tax laws and affirmative action on race.

There were 59 such initiatives in 2008.

In South Dakota and Colorado, measures curtailing abortion rights were rejected.

Michigan voted to allow medical use of marijuana, while Nebraska voted to end race- and gender-based affirmative action.

In Oregon, a measure designed to limit teaching of students in language other than English to no more than two years was defeated.

Washington state voted to allow doctor-assisted suicide for terminally ill people.

Amid deep economic uncertainty, proposals to cut state income taxes were defeated decisively in North Dakota and Massachusetts.

Missouri repealed a $500 loss limit designed to protect compulsive gamblers on riverboats.

Story from BBC NEWS:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/americas/us_elections_2008/7711127.stm

Published: 2008/11/05 21:24:10 GMT

© BBC MMVIII

The ruling puts in doubt thousands of same-sex marriages that have taken place in California

Californian voters have chosen to ban same-sex marriage, months after it was legalised by the state's top court.

The measure restricting marriage to heterosexual couples gained 52% support - more than 5.1 million votes - with nearly all precincts declaring results.

Twenty-seven US states already ban same-sex marriage. California's legal approval had seen thousands of gay couples wed there since May.

State Attorney General Jerry Brown has said those marriages will remain valid.

Legal challenges to the measure, known as Proposition 8, are likely.

The referendum called for the California constitution to be amended by adding the phrase that: "Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognised in California."

Bitter campaign

The ballot measure was keenly fought with more than $70m spent on advertising by both sides - breaking national records for campaigning on a social policy initiative.

People have stood up because they care about marriage and they care a good deal

Frank Schubert Proposition 8 supporter

The BBC's Peter Bowes in Los Angeles says that for many liberal Californians, on a day when Barack Obama was swept to victory, the election was a bittersweet experience.

He said they won the White House - but lost on an issue many believed had already been resolved by the courts.

Conservative groups have welcomed the ban.

"People believe in the institution of marriage" said Frank Schubert, co-manager of the Yes on 8 campaign.

There has been enormous movement in favour of full equality

Kate Kendall Lesbian rights campaigner

"It's one institution that crosses ethnic divides, that crosses partisan divides."

But gay rights supporters vowed to fight on.

Kate Kendall, executive director of the National Center for Lesbian Rights said "there has been enormous movement in favour of full equality in eight short years".

"That is the direction this is heading, and if it's not today or tomorrow, it will be soon," she added.

Florida and Arizona also backed proposals to ban gay marriage, by 62% and 56% respectively, on 4 November.

Other proposals

The measure was among 153 state-level proposals up for vote on US presidential election day.

Other measures under consideration by 36 states ranged from initiatives on gambling, drug laws and stem cell research to tax laws and affirmative action on race.

There were 59 such initiatives in 2008.

In South Dakota and Colorado, measures curtailing abortion rights were rejected.

Michigan voted to allow medical use of marijuana, while Nebraska voted to end race- and gender-based affirmative action.

In Oregon, a measure designed to limit teaching of students in language other than English to no more than two years was defeated.

Washington state voted to allow doctor-assisted suicide for terminally ill people.

Amid deep economic uncertainty, proposals to cut state income taxes were defeated decisively in North Dakota and Massachusetts.

Missouri repealed a $500 loss limit designed to protect compulsive gamblers on riverboats.

Story from BBC NEWS:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/americas/us_elections_2008/7711127.stm

Published: 2008/11/05 21:24:10 GMT

© BBC MMVIII

“Be fearful when others are greedy, and be greedy when others are fearful,”

By anonymous• 6 Nov 2008 20:04
anonymous

azilana7037 said:

Like it always have something to do with SEX (or whatever you call it)...

How do you want call it? Spit it out....

“Be fearful when others are greedy, and be greedy when others are fearful,”

By Hoss34• 6 Nov 2008 19:26
Rating: 5/5
Hoss34

I have several female friends that are just that, female friends. We have shopped together, gone out for dinners, and just hung out and watched movies. There was nothing but respect and friendship. I enjoy the company of females if for no other reason then I work with mostly guys and a female voice is refreshing. I have taken trips around Qatar with female friends and we enjoyed the time together and the conversations. It ended there. That is called self control and respect. I do not believe that every women who looks my way is in love with me and can't resist my omni-pressence and whitty charm.

FISH DO

By MapleLeafs• 6 Nov 2008 18:44
Rating: 5/5
MapleLeafs

Are we supposed to end all friendships with the opposite sex when we get married.?? Do u tell your opposite sex friend :" Well sorry we cannot be friends anymore because you are married or I am married".

I believe you can never have enough friends of the same or opposite sex, you are married or not.

"Friendship is a sweet responsibility, never an opportunity" K.G.K

By Eagley• 6 Nov 2008 14:13
Eagley

Possible - for those who are internally strong. Many people have definitely managed it.

*********************************************

Life is short. Live it to the fullest!

By azilana7037• 6 Nov 2008 09:34
azilana7037

but who knows?

Like someone once told me...you/we don't know what happens behind close doors. And besides, women DO wants to be LOVED and taken cared for. Are there any woman who don't?...

By Stallion• 6 Nov 2008 09:20
Rating: 5/5
Stallion

I know many married and having friends from opposite sex...look what happens usually...she/ he will tend to compare his spouse to the so called friend (from opposite sex)...and will wish that the spouse was like the friend...and then..............................................................................................................you know the rest !

I dont say it is not possible but if it is decent like you say then let your spouse know about it :P

By Formatted Soul• 6 Nov 2008 08:13
Formatted Soul

Come here... I will show how practical it is to break your bones..lol.......

You are an Example....:)

By DaRuDe• 6 Nov 2008 08:08
DaRuDe

Kindly explain practical here as you said possible and practical.

By Formatted Soul• 6 Nov 2008 08:05
Rating: 4/5
Formatted Soul

abe… why you say it’s impractical? you mean not practical to meet them? is it really important to meet friends often? A phone call or a mail can keep the friendship alive. But unfortunately some men and women know only one relation between opposite sexes…its not possible for them.

Of course possible.. if its a clean and healthy friendship..why not?. But you should know the limits.

Even if its a just a friendship …their spouses might feel insecure or Jealous..So it’s better to keep it low profile.

Me think its possible and practical.

By Rizks• 6 Nov 2008 07:56
Rizks

Ahem Ahem ...............

Wats tat Drumstick talks goin on ....???

By Salmamohd• 6 Nov 2008 07:55
Salmamohd

Same here:)

Have a nyc Day:)

By brutus_ceasar• 6 Nov 2008 07:54
brutus_ceasar

Hey guys catch you all later.. have to start working or else my Modir will be upset eh.

Cheers all Have a nice day

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Heard your wife left you,

How upset you must be.

But don't fret about it...

She moved in with me.

By Salmamohd• 6 Nov 2008 07:53
Salmamohd

Ahhh...den im fy9:P

By brutus_ceasar• 6 Nov 2008 07:52
brutus_ceasar

HHmmm... Salma has a skinny legs.. better say Slim Legs.. it always works with ladies. hehehe

Cheers

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Heard your wife left you,

How upset you must be.

But don't fret about it...

She moved in with me.

By DaRuDe• 6 Nov 2008 07:52
DaRuDe

Just told them about your legs nothing else

rest all is secret :D

By brutus_ceasar• 6 Nov 2008 07:51
brutus_ceasar

LMAO... DA.. okey

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Heard your wife left you,

How upset you must be.

But don't fret about it...

She moved in with me.

By Salmamohd• 6 Nov 2008 07:50
Salmamohd

Ahh...Da ...dat was a secret between us:(

By DaRuDe• 6 Nov 2008 07:45
DaRuDe

No not at all didnt talk kinky we were just trying to pull short skinny legs of Salma.

By Rizks• 6 Nov 2008 07:45
Rizks

lol DaRuDe ...........

Salma i guess tat one was for you ....loool

By Salmamohd• 6 Nov 2008 07:44
Salmamohd

By brutus_ceasar• 6 Nov 2008 07:44
brutus_ceasar

DA and Rizks twins?? that I like to see.. yo Rizks Bhai.. what do you say eh. (hhhmm.... but still think that they have talked kinky a while ago)

Cheers

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Heard your wife left you,

How upset you must be.

But don't fret about it...

She moved in with me.

By DaRuDe• 6 Nov 2008 07:42
DaRuDe

Noooooo ye besharam sharam se lal hogaye hai

By Rizks• 6 Nov 2008 07:41
Rizks

Moderator: English Please .....:)

By Rizks• 6 Nov 2008 07:40
Rizks

Salma ....................

Aur tum humiditiy se Harri ( Green ) ho gae ho ...:)

By Salmamohd• 6 Nov 2008 07:40
Salmamohd

lolz....I was just sayin dat Rizks n Da look alike:P( as if dey are twins)

By brutus_ceasar• 6 Nov 2008 07:39
brutus_ceasar

HHmmm.... now they are talking kinky eh.. :P

Cheers all

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Heard your wife left you,

How upset you must be.

But don't fret about it...

She moved in with me.

By Salmamohd• 6 Nov 2008 07:37
Rating: 2/5
Salmamohd

U knw what aaap dono ase lagte ho jase judwaa bhai lkn kisi mele mh kho gaye te but Da sardi se neela hogaya hai n Rizks garmi se peela...hahahha

By brutus_ceasar• 6 Nov 2008 07:36
Rating: 4/5
brutus_ceasar

And at 100 years old if she is still HOT Mama. of course man..

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Heard your wife left you,

How upset you must be.

But don't fret about it...

She moved in with me.

By Rizks• 6 Nov 2008 07:35
Rizks

lol DaRuDe ..............

By DaRuDe• 6 Nov 2008 07:33
DaRuDe

Thats the spirit always carry on never stop doing friendships :D even if its an old lady of 100 :D

By brutus_ceasar• 6 Nov 2008 07:32
brutus_ceasar

That's the way Darude.. a single mum... (hhmm.... a hot single mum.. yea...)

Cheers dude

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Heard your wife left you,

How upset you must be.

But don't fret about it...

She moved in with me.

By Salmamohd• 6 Nov 2008 07:32
Salmamohd

hahahhaha...dats fyn :P

By DaRuDe• 6 Nov 2008 07:29
DaRuDe

am giving up on some one's wife (Salma) let me find a single gal then what do you say now or wait a divorced single female hmm or single mum :D

By Rizks• 6 Nov 2008 07:29
Rizks

After All.............

A Friend in Need is a Friend in Deed .....:)

By Salmamohd• 6 Nov 2008 07:27
Salmamohd

By brutus_ceasar• 6 Nov 2008 07:27
Rating: 3/5
brutus_ceasar

I totally agrees with DA.. (hhhmmm..... someone's wife plus married guy.....just a friend eh.. what do you think)

Cheers

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Heard your wife left you,

How upset you must be.

But don't fret about it...

She moved in with me.

By brutus_ceasar• 6 Nov 2008 07:25
brutus_ceasar

Hmmmm.... Possible.. some of us guys just want some person (preferably a lady) to talked or be our companion. especially if our wifey is not with us eh.

Cheers

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Heard your wife left you,

How upset you must be.

But don't fret about it...

She moved in with me.

By Rizks• 6 Nov 2008 07:24
Rizks

lool DaRuDe .....

Woow wat a great Expample u gave my friend . Now i totally agree with ya ...lol

By Salmamohd• 6 Nov 2008 07:21
Salmamohd

By DaRuDe• 6 Nov 2008 07:20
DaRuDe

Yes yes Riskz its me now see example i give you.

Salma is a wife and i am a husband and we are friends :D

By sulmansaeed• 6 Nov 2008 07:19
sulmansaeed

yar aik bar mera experience ho chuka hai, ma tu nae koi or serious ho gaya tha friendship...

yar ma tu apni bat ker raha tha:P

By Salmamohd• 6 Nov 2008 07:19
Salmamohd

By Rizks• 6 Nov 2008 07:18
Rizks

DaRuDe .............

Is tat u saying tat ?? lol

By Rizks• 6 Nov 2008 07:17
Rizks

Abe Oye Sulman ...............

If u dont agree wat m i suppose to do ? lol

By DaRuDe• 6 Nov 2008 07:17
DaRuDe

haram haram haram haram haram

:P.

By Salmamohd• 6 Nov 2008 07:17
Salmamohd

lolz...now y is that so???

By sulmansaeed• 6 Nov 2008 07:15
sulmansaeed

But i dont agree with Rizks:P

By Salmamohd• 6 Nov 2008 07:12
Salmamohd

I agree with Rizks for the frst tym:P

By britexpat• 6 Nov 2008 07:11
Rating: 5/5
britexpat

It's a two way street. Don't tell me that All men in Qatar are after a physical relationship and all women want love and affection..

As we've said previously.. It's not impossible, but extremely difficult. Friendship between married men and married women is fraught with danger and jealousies.

By Rizks• 6 Nov 2008 06:59
Rizks

Its Fine !!!

Coz after all they are ONLY FrienDZ...:)

Its just the matter of TRUST between both of them.

Then i guess its no HARM ...!!!

By Gulfline07• 6 Nov 2008 06:51
Gulfline07

Friends only? Why not?

By eu61• 6 Nov 2008 06:29
Rating: 5/5
eu61

It is possible, and it is not related to sex.

Friends are one thing, and they dont substitute wife or husband.

Level of confidence is different. You must always have more confidence in your husband/wife than in your friends same way your family will stand always with you and friends can come and go...

War looking for peace,

is like fornication looking for virginity.

By Qataria78• 6 Nov 2008 00:09
Rating: 4/5
Qataria78

I guess in our culture friendship has a different meaning and only happens between the same sex . Yeh you can be friends with the different sex but not as close as meeting up in public places and hanging about together . People will start talking and stabing you behind your back . I guess friendship can happen between different sexs in the western part of the world , but for us we also have to stick to our religion . :)

By PITSTOP• 5 Nov 2008 23:56
Rating: 4/5
PITSTOP

Friendship is a lovely thing. The problem is that in Qatar - Friendship, is looked down upon between different genders.

Men do befriend women in Qatar and it does happen, but it is a secret. It isn't as honest and as open as one would like it to be. A married man is a friend to a girl, but his wife doesn't know about it. Or a married woman is a friend to a boy, but her husband doesn't know about it. Would it be the lack of trust in the other person, or the lack of trust in oneself.

But overall, I think it is possible.

By azilana7037• 5 Nov 2008 23:39
Rating: 3/5
azilana7037

Is just that...being friends.

Here in Qatar, "friendship" connotes a different thing which i find confusing. Like it always have something to do with SEX (or whatever you call it)...

That's why women shuns men who offers/requests/asks for freindsheeps bcoz of this notion...uuugh

I'm not generalizing but that's what I see around...especially here in QL main forum. Even though how many times you tell this is not a dating site...these dimwits can't seem to understand.

Going back to the question....My answer is YES, that is if we're talking about "real" FRIENDSHIP. Bottomline, being married doesn't stop you from meeting people...

I guess it all depends on the person's maturity....

By sulmansaeed• 5 Nov 2008 22:40
sulmansaeed

Never

By deepoo• 5 Nov 2008 19:10
Rating: 4/5
deepoo

it's vry simply possible

By GodFather.• 5 Nov 2008 18:51
GodFather.

a.k.a absolutely right..

-----------------

HE WHO DARES WINS

By a.k.a• 5 Nov 2008 18:49
Rating: 4/5
a.k.a

Abe...more than one person has managed to pull it off. look in most work places as an example. Seriously, don't get caught up on male/female organs and its just a meeting of like minds and morals....jeeez

By GodFather.• 5 Nov 2008 18:42
Rating: 4/5
GodFather.

Yep right mate your have her and she has you.. Thank good so many girls are safe because of that...lol

-----------------

HE WHO DARES WINS

By someonenew• 5 Nov 2008 18:24
someonenew

LOL Brit! ur just too much!

I dream of a better tomorrow where Chickens can cross the Road without having their motives questioned - Unknown

By anonymous• 5 Nov 2008 18:23
anonymous

GOD IS GREAT

MARRIED MAN HAVE HIS WIFE AND WIFE HAVE HIS HUSBAND HE DONT NEED OPSITE SEX FOR FRIENDSHIP ....YOU HAVE HAVE YOUR PARTNER FOR EVERYTHING

By someonenew• 5 Nov 2008 18:22
someonenew

Well not really nfh, but I'm sure there are a lot of somewhat-happily-ever-after types. At least thats what I think after almost 2yrs in the trap:)

I dream of a better tomorrow where Chickens can cross the Road without having their motives questioned - Unknown

By britexpat• 5 Nov 2008 18:20
britexpat

It was 26 years ago that she said "I DO"..

To be honest, it was a shock for me, because I didn't think she did!

By anonymous• 5 Nov 2008 18:18
anonymous

Is there such a "type", someonenew, lol?

Ah, youth....

By someonenew• 5 Nov 2008 18:11
someonenew

Really britexpat?? I thought u guys were happily ever after types.

I dream of a better tomorrow where Chickens can cross the Road without having their motives questioned - Unknown

By GodFather.• 5 Nov 2008 18:03
Rating: 4/5
GodFather.

Friends yep..But the best one can have and should have is he wife.. Every thing after that is tempetation, oportunity and lust I guess.

Brit I can say the same for Mrs UKEng no.1...lol

-----------------

HE WHO DARES WINS

By britexpat• 5 Nov 2008 18:01
britexpat

Mrs Expat in the process..

By mallrat• 5 Nov 2008 18:00
Rating: 4/5
mallrat

.just friends, why not.....

.

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