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.
Platonic love is (usually) defined by its lack of physical intimacy. Platonic love is friendship without romance or sex, whereas romantic love leans heavily toward physical intimacy (sexual or otherwise).
Harmless Flirting
This can mean buying a drink in a social setting, freely giving compliments, side arm hugs or other non-sexual touches, a platonic friendship. The term “harmless” is only applicable if you are willing to disclose this behavior (without shame or concern) to your partner.
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.
Yes, platonic friends can fall in love. This isn't something that happens all the time, but if you're both on the same page, then a relationship that begins from a solid base of friendship can be a really beautiful and long-lasting thing.
As long as both parties agree and set parameters, experts say kissing or showing other displays of affection with friends is all right – and the decision remains up to the respective parties alone.
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.
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.
"A situationship is that space between a committed relationship and something that is more than a friendship," explains psychotherapist and author Jonathan Alpert. "Unlike a friends with benefits or relationship, there isn't consensus on what it is." Why is this becoming a trend now?
Deliberately Touching Someone
Yet, frequently and purposely touching someone in a provocative way–like caressing their hand or giving them a tight and lingering hug–is inappropriate flirting, and implies a romantic/sexual interest, particularly when there's attraction between either party.
Subtle flirting involves conveying interest in a more understated and indirect way. It may involve using subtle cues such as prolonged eye contact, smiling, or mirroring the other person's body language. Subtle flirting can be a good way to express interest without being too overt or pushy.
Flirting can be subtle and indirect, so sometimes it's hard to decipher whether or not someone is expressing interest. Clues to spot flirting are body language, such as smiling, leaning forward, and touching, and verbal cues such as compliments or references to being available.
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.
In platonic love, both parties feel overwhelming gratitude, fondness, and interest for one another. These relationships, which often grow from typical friendships, turn into deeper and stronger bonds.
Platonic attraction
An interest or desire for friendship or other close relationship with a particular person. Most often, this relationship is non-romantic and non-sexual, but this can vary depending on the person. Squish. The platonic equivalent of a crush.
Platonic means "without sexual or romantic feelings." A platonic friendship is a friendship that does not include those types of feelings. A sexual or "friends with benefits" friendship may include sexual attraction or activity. A "romantic friendship" might include love or romantic dynamics.
Platonic relationships—i.e. close, non-sexual friendships—between men and women can be real and viable and pretty great. It's a relief, not a stressor, to know someone of the opposite sex in a context that isn't mediated by sexual attraction, according to a number of people I spoke to.
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."
A zucchini is a partner in a queerplatonic relationship. The commitment level between partners is often considered to be similar to that of a romantic relationship, but with platonic love. Zucchinis may be of any romantic or sexual orientation. Advertisement.
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.
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.
The great platonic debate
Don't be fooled by the word “platonic” – it just means nothing physical happened, including kissing and sex. At the end of the day, if you got into bed with someone you're attracted to, chances are it still means something, even if you did nothing but sleep side by side.
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.