Hopefully I’m not repeating a topic buuut I didn’t see this one when I looked around so here goes: What are your opinions on friendships between members of the opposite sex? Do you think they are a bad idea because of possible sexual tension/romantic undertones? Do you think they’re great because they allow each friend a glimpse into the male/female mind?
Personally, I always seem to get along better with my guy friends. I’m not sure if this is because we don’t feel any of the competitiveness that seems to be a factor between female friends or because we might possibly keep each other at just enough of a distance that things don’t get too personal like they do with female friends sometimes (meaning…the guy friends don’t always know every single detail of your personal life). I think it’s terribly interesting too, being friends with guys, because I really do believe that men and women grow up in their own gender-specific cultures (guys are taught to generally behave in one way and women are taught to generally behave in another…that sort of thing) and being friends with guys gives me insight sometimes into the male mind and motivations.
On a side note, I am curious about one thing related to this topic that will also tie it into the overall topic of Taiwan and cultural differences. Do you think cultural differences between Taiwanese people and people of other cultures affect friendships between same sex and opposite sex friends? That may not make sense so let me give an example. My N. American guy friends, when I talk to them, all want to talk about video games or sports…complain about their girlfriends…movies…but they never really let me in too much as far as into their personal lives and personal problems. This may just be a flaw in our friendships, mind you, and not something characteristic of male-female friendship dynamics in that particular culture. ANYWAY, my Taiwanese guy friends are different. They often want to talk to me about personal stuff most of the time rather than hobbies or other fun but impersonal topics. One of my guy friends in particular always wants to talk about love, marriage, children…every single time we talk he mentions something about it. I wonder if he’s feeling lonely…haha Also, it seems to me that my girl friends in Taiwan are far less competitive with me than my girl friends in the U.S. Perhaps because I’m just a foreigner and not a real threat?
who knows…
So, what do you think? Are opposite sex friendships a bad idea or, as I think, often more fulfilling than same-sex friendships? Are friendships (of either of these two varieties) different when you add a different culture into the mix?
Suggest you watch when Harry met Sally. Everything Harry says on the subject is true. In summary guys want to bang everything, period. If you understand this, and can deal with it then the friendship can work very well. I have some fantastic long term female friends, but they understand the game.
Yes… and yes.
Maybe because you are a foreigner in Taiwan makes you special and Taiwanese of both sexes can talk to you very free. As a foreigner you are not involved (too much) into the personal networks of the locals. Maybe Taiwanese talk to their Taiwanese friends less. They fear the gossip.
Let’s name it. We are aliens in Taiwan (and even get Alien Resident Certficates and the Police are the Men in Black).
On the opposite as a foreigner you can talk also more free. You are just takling to a Taiwanese.
I love being just friends with women. Friendships with women tend to be more multidimensional than friendships with men. We can flirt, mess around a bit and give each other jollies while knowing we’re safe from enmirement in that other much more burdensome and complicated realm of attachment.
Finding female friends in Taiwan wil be as easy as shooting fish in a barrel. They’re also usually very easy to get along with. Guy friends on the other hand is almost impossible. No idea what you as a girl would talk to them to. As a guy they think a good time is taking you to a titty bar, a titty KTV or…well not much more else. In four years I’ve probably made friends with three Taiwanese guys that I would call real friends…and I’ve really tried.
Back home I’ve always had many girl friends who I’ve shared wonderful platonic relationships with. So here it’s been the same for me. I have a lot of foreign girl friends. They’re always good to chat with and hang out with.
Two of my closest friends are guys. Probably would have never happened if I hadn’t come to Taiwan. But they sure have taught me a lot about moi, men and life. Sure there was that sexual question there, but it got put in check, they being men and not boys, went on like usual and poked someone else. But kept me around for laughs.
Life is grand. 
I have no problem with it (being friends with the opposite sex), no matter what their background. I’ve become pretty good mates with a girl I met through LE here - we enjoy each other’s company, and it’s gotten to the point where we can pretty much relax and be ourselves around each other.
As a mate once told me, it’s good to be friends with girls. But some girls are just dying to be more than friends! Sometimes it’s hard to tell which it is, but there’s nothing wrong with staying ‘just friends’. I chat on MSN fairly regularly with a female friend back home - we’ve had some really satisfying conversations, I’ve learned a lot about myself from them.
depends a lot on the girl, some girls can accept guys as friends others can not because they always expect you to want them in some way and if you don’t it’s an insult and if you do actually do something then you have disrespected them.
I love having friends of the opposite sex. You can’t shag friends of the same sex – well, some people can, I suppose, but not me, thanks.
I bet I’m not on that list anymore. Damm,no more compliements. 
I bet I’m not on that list anymore. Damm,no more compliements. [/quote]
Don’t be worrying about that, sweetcheeks.
Being virtually unshaggable makes it easier to have friends of the opposite sex.
You waits for thems there to be deaden and shag em thens… no complaints
If you can accept that someone in the relationship is proabably sexually attracted to the other, and deal with that. then cool. That said, I have lots of fiends of the opposite sex. It’s cool, and funny to get the other perspective. It’s almost always men who say mixed sex friendships don’t work, so I find it interesting so many men have written on here. I think that’s cool.
Yes… and yes.[/quote]
I’ll have whatever he’s having! 
Hey! I resemble that remark!
Hey! I resemble that remark![/quote]
What are you talking about? You don’t have an opposite sex.
Personally, I find it almost impossible to have a normal friendship with a Taiwanese girl. I have lot’s of taiwanese girls who are my friends but not like back home, but i think that’s just the way they are here. most of my taiwanese friends don’t have any really close friends of the opposite sex.
I have more male friends than female ones. And for the most of time, I get along with male friends better. Because the way I talk, I act, for some girls, they will feel I’m rude, but I think it’s just okay. So this is why I can’t make more female friends. 
But I got some true female friends as well, basically, they have the same interests and crazy personality to me.
But I also get along with female friends well, and I guess it’s because they don’t think I’m a threat to them.
I think both sex friends are needed. Male friends can listen to you complain about girls you don’t like so much. And female friends can give you a suggestion when you have to get along with guys. 