As long as both parties agree and set parameters, experts say kissing and otherwise being physically intimate with friends is all right – and the decision remains up to the respective parties alone.
It is possible to desire physical intimacy (such as hugging, kissing, or touching) or sex with the other person but not be engaged in these activities. If no physical intimacy or sex exists between you and the other person, it is a platonic relationship—even if the desire is there.
Cheek kiss
Kissing someone on the cheek can be a platonic greeting gesture, and it's common for friends and family members to exchange these types of kisses in some cultures. In other situations, it can also be a good way to hint that you like someone if you're not quite ready for a lip-to-lip kiss.
A platonic kiss is a non-romantic kiss that is typically exchanged between friends or acquaintances as a greeting or a gesture of affection. It can be on the cheek, forehead, or even the hand.
Described by Relationships Australia NSW CEO, Elisabeth Shaw as “an act of intimacy that is not romantic or sexual in nature,” platonic kissing “even on the cheek - is most often reserved for extended family or closer friends, rather than something we would bestow on anyone.”
A kiss on the cheek or a peck is a friendly gesture, which does not imply any serious romantic inclination. It only means that they like you but will never be drawn to you romantically.
It can simply be an expression of the care that you have for each other, and it can take any form that is consensual and desired by each person. Opening up your friendship to include more hugs, hand-holding, kisses, cuddling, and more can bring in a level of connection and vulnerability that is completely new.
Platonic cuddling can take place between friends or family members, while romantic cuddling is between romantic partners. There may be some crossover between the two activities, but for the most part, they're separate activities.
While in many Western nations this could be seen as unconventional social behavior, for them it's a perfectly normal activity. There is nothing sexual or specifically romantic about holding hands in India. Rather, it's an expression of platonic love between two or more individuals.
A neck kiss is connected to passion and can be a very romantic kiss. "It's almost as if the kiss is saying, 'hello sexy person, I really like you,'” says Dr.
Just because the practice of platonic kissing isn't familiar to you doesn't mean it's not common elsewhere. "Platonic lip kissing is found in cultures around the world, between friends, family, and sometimes even strangers as a means of greeting," says Allison Moon, author of "Girl Sex 101."
It is mostly used as a greeting and/or a farewell, but can also be offered as a congratulation or as a general declaration of friendship or love. Cheek kissing is acceptable between parents and children, family members (though not often two adult males), couples, two female friends or a male friend and a female friend.
Platonic flirting is flirting with a platonic friend, with no intention of romance, and no desire for sex. You might find yourself giving your platonic friend compliments, touching their arm, or giggling with them. This can be natural and harmless, as long as both parties feel comfortable.
You might be wondering, can cuddling be platonic? Absolutely. Platonic cuddling is a type of close contact between two adults where no romance or sexual activities take place. You can involve lower bodies if you want or just hug each other with the help of the upper body.
Yes, platonic friends – just friends with no romantic or sexual attraction – can experience physical intimacy like cuddling. You might also hug or hold hands. Being physically intimate with your friends can be one way to strengthen your bond if it's something that both parties are comfortable with.
Romantic love is generally the feeling you would have toward a partner or spouse. While these feelings may not necessarily be sexual, they are usually characterized by a physical intimacy that is not typically present in other types of love. Platonic love does not normally involve sexual feelings.
People may go into platonic flirting relationships with their co-workers, classmates, friends, and others they frequently flirt with but don't necessarily want to pursue a romantic or sexual relationship with.
A platonic relationship is one with no romantic or sexual features, but it means more than “just friends.” According to the ancient philosopher Plato, for whom the concept is named, this bond is a type of love experienced when we identify positive qualities we feel complete us, within another person.
“Platonic touch” refers to any physical contact that isn't sexual. High-fiving a friend, hugging your date goodnight, and even giving a long-term girlfriend a back rub all count as platonic touch. It so happens that physical touching is one of the two key elements of building physical intimacy.
Two people lie sideways and back-to-back. It provides a sense of closeness without the discomfort of intertwining limbs, says Hess. Here, one person lies on their back while the other cozies up to their side. A hybrid of the classic "spooning" method, this position allows for room to touch and talk.
Again, just be honest in your communication. If you're not sure about how far you want to take things, you can share that up front. In this case you could say, “I'd really love to cuddle with you sometime. If you like that idea, then let's cuddle together and see how that feels to us.
Spooning can be platonic cuddling or a prelude to sexual activity. If the person you're spooning with isn't your romantic partner, it's helpful to set boundaries. If one person feels sexual and the other person doesn't, it can lead to an uncomfortable situation.
Yea, just don't make it awkward or expect it to be a regular thing afterwards. If you randomly end up making out from time to time but don't want a relationship don't bring it up the next day, don't hangout with the expectation it will happen again just move on with the friendship even if it happens fairly often.
As with all activities involving your best friend (or anybody else, for that matter): It is okay to kiss your best friend on the neck if your friend has given you informed consent to kiss them on the neck.
Make quick, casual contact.
Lean in, bending from your waist. The idea here is not full-body contact, which is a much more intimate and personal hug. Wrap one arm around her arm and place your hand in-between her shoulder blades. Wrap your other arm around her and place your hand below your first hand.