Let’s Just Be Friends? Here Are the Platonic Friendship Rules
Platonic friendships are deep and affectionate bonds that are not romantic or sexual but meaningful. Though these friendships are emotional, offering personal growth and a sense of belongingness, there are some platonic friendship rules that need to be followed.
Whether it is between two women, two men, or across genders, platonic friendship can thrive if the right principles are upheld. So, to maintain these relationships healthily, here is a detailed guide.
Platonic Friendship Rules That One Must Follow
Here are the golden rules –
1. Avoid physical touch
Physical touch in platonic friendship should be approached with care and mutual understanding. “Limited” doesn’t mean no contact—it simply means avoiding behavior that leads to romantic or sexual intention.
Most friends are comfortable hugging and some friendly touch, but kissing and other intimate acts, such as friends with benefits, are best avoided unless both individuals are very clear and aligned about their non-romantic intentions.
Ultimately, it depends on the level of comfort, communication, and boundaries you share. If any physical interaction begins to blur the line or compromises the platonic nature of the friendship, it’s essential to reassess.
Friendly Tip: Check on your friend regularly to ensure both of you are comfortable in this setup and with the dynamics of the relationship.
2. Indulge in open and honest communication
One of the key platonic friendship rules is communication. Yes, just like any other relationship, platonic friendships require clear communication. It’s imperative for both individuals to express their needs, feelings, and concerns without the fear of judgment.
If there are misunderstandings, resolve them openly. If this whole setup of platonic friendship is overwhelming, communicate. Be honest if you need space in friendship. However, don’t forget to celebrate each other’s wins and achievements.
Friendly Tip: Whenever you express your feelings, use “I” and don’t accuse them or sound rude. Just be yourself. While checking on them, ask about their life and how they feel about this friendship.
3. Don’t get caught in the romantic ambiguity
When it comes to platonic friendship between man and woman, a key challenge in male-female friendship boundaries is blurring the line between friendship and romantic interest.
In time, one of the friends might fall in love with another, and mind you, and it can create tension and cause a ruckus. To avoid such circumstances, it is best to be clear about your intentions right from the start.
If one person is falling in love, it’s the job of the other to handle it with maturity by addressing it openly. Also, keep flirting or mixed signals at bay to avoid confusion or hurtful reactions.
Friendly Tip: Having an honest conversation is the key to this lock. Express openly if any of the friends want to change the dynamics of the friendship. It’s better to face it than let confusion damage the friendship.
4. Don’t be jealous
A strong platonic friendship can succeed only when you have no jealousy. A strong platonic friendship celebrates each other’s growth, success, independence, and new connections.
One of the most important elements in platonic friendship rules is supporting your friend’s romantic life. Not just about romance but also about their career and life changes.
Don’t be controlling when it comes to sparing time for you. Yeah, that’s true. You might feel fearful that you are losing your friend. But don’t fuel premonitions. Let them have their space to evolve without taking things personally.
Friendly Tip: If jealousy persists, start journaling and noting instances that make you jealous. Alternatively, start writing steps to curtail such emotions. Understand that if you want to be a true friend, then friends always support each other.
5. Respect their romantic partners
If either of the friends is in a romantic relationship, it’s best to respect their partners as well. Appreciate their relationship and your platonic friendship, too. There are ways to not lose friendship even after marriage.
Be transparent with partners about the nature of friendship. This is the space where you can enjoy deep connection without getting in the way of their romantic relationship.
While doing all this, reassure your parents how important they are to you and make them feel secure. It’s very important to balance it out while looking after your romantic relationship.
Friendly Tip: Including your partner in group hangouts, coffee hangouts, or conversations can build trust.
6. Don’t be way too emotionally involved in the friendship
While platonic friendships can be emotionally intimate, one of the basic platonic friendship rules is to not expect too much from a friend. This means you can’t expect one friend to fulfill all your emotional needs.
For this, you need to have a set of diverse friends. This keeps your individuality intact and prevents your platonic friendship from becoming dependent, like a codependent friendship.
Friendly Tip: Balance is very important. Instead of becoming emotionally dependent, be emotionally available. Also, give your friend space to sort out their priorities. Stop overburdening your friend and seek professional help if you think it is too much.
7. Please respect their privacy
Respecting each other’s privacy is one of the key aspects of platonic friendship rules. Though besties, this doesn’t mean you both peep into each other’s lives.
Don’t force your friend to share everything. They will do it when they are comfortable, and you should wait for the time to come. By doing this, you are respecting their privacy and cherishing a lifelong friendship, too.
Friendly Tip: Before discussing anything sensitive, ask their permission. Also, don’t just blatantly discuss your friend’s life in public. Doing this shows you respect your friendship and boundaries.
8. Accept and embrace the change gracefully
Friendships evolve. Life changes. Life events like a career change, moving out, marriage, and children can alter the dynamics of a friendship.
In all this, you have to be prepared. Your friend might not give you time, so don’t nag. As a true friend, stay positive and support them through the transitions. Don’t cling to the old times and accept life as it comes.
Friendly Tip: Sometimes, friendships change, dynamics change and people change—accept the fact and embrace it gracefully for your own good. Most importantly, you must know when to let go!
Over to you…
Platonic friendships enrich relationships so much that even romantic relationships cannot. They offer companionship without conditions, love without demands, and honesty without any ulterior motives. But if you want to honor boundaries, follow these platonic friendship rules.
Communicate and nurture the bond with care, and everything sails through. Nevertheless, platonic friendship has the power to last a lifetime with proper love and trust.
