How to Handle A Flirtationship

Dealing with a guy who’s a little more than a friend but not exactly a boyfriend can be more than confusing because you have no commitments and thus, no obligations to each other. Navigating through a flirtationship -- a situation where you flirt and have special feelings for a friend but do nothing more -- is no easy feat. Feelings can get hurt, and friendships can be damaged. Read on for some information on how to safely handle your flirtationship!

Take stock
Evaluate the situation. There is nothing wrong with a little harmless flirting here and there. It’s perfectly healthy, especially when you’re in college. If you and your guy friend are content with the occasional kiss on the cheek or going for a hand-held walk through the park without crossing any lines, then good for you! It can be nice to have that type of affection without having to commit to a serious relationship. What’s most important is that the two of you are on the same page.

What should you do when you realize that you want more than a flirtationship? You can either tell your friend that you have a bit of a crush on him or you can keep it to yourself. Both scenarios have pros and cons. If you tell him and discover that he feels the same way, you’ve opened the door to what could grow into a wonderful relationship. On the other hand, if he doesn’t feel the same way, it could be awkward or tense. If you don’t tell him, you protect yourself from a possible embarrassing scenario. However, you could possibly be cheating yourself out of a great situation due to your own fear. Either way, you’re taking a substantial risk, so it’s something to think about.

What if he wants more?
It can be equally weird if your guy expresses romantic feelings for you, but you don’t exactly feel the same way. In situations such as these, it’s best to be as straightforward as possible. Try to steer clear of telling him how it’s not him, it’s you or declaring how at some point he’ll meet a girl that’s perfect for him. Although you may think you’re being comforting, after being rejected, your guy might feel as though he’s being patronized. Let him know that while you think he’s great, you simply don’t view him in a romantic way. Give him some time to process. If you two are able to return to your friendship after that, stay away from the physical affection, as it might lead to confusion and him feeling led on.

Friendships with guys are always tricky. As much as we’d like to believe that we could be strictly platonic with the opposite sex, the lines always seem to blur. Having a flirtationship is dicey, so it’s important to stay on the same page and keep the lines of communication open and clear. Doing this will protect you, your guy and the friendship that the two of you share.

By: Adjoa Bruce | Image: Source