If no physical intimacy or sex exists between you and the other person, it is a platonic relationship—even if the desire is there. Platonic Relationship. Involves deep friendship. People involved may or may not have a desire for physical intimacy. No physical intimacy or sex occurs.
Platonic intimacy may include touching, although not sexual. Embracing, hugging, and giving kisses on the cheek are a few examples. Some people may feel that physical contact improves the level of platonic intimacy in a relationship since it can create feelings of trust, safety, compassion, or all three.
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 relationships are those characterized by friendship and lacking romantic or sexual aspects, in contrast with romantic relationships. They are named after Plato and reference his writings on different types of love.
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.
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."
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 Boundaries
Don't engage in physical contact beyond casual intimacy (i.e., avoid things like handholding, kissing, or "friends-with-benefits" situations)
"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?
In general, I would say yes, it's totally possible to be platonic friends with a guy you've slept with.
To strengthen your relationships you may want to work on four types of intimacy: physical, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual closeness. Intimacy, in general, refers to the level of proximity between two people.
It is possible for a platonic relationship to evolve into a romantic one, as emotional intimacy and shared experiences can spark romantic feelings over time. Any transformation should be approached with open communication, mutual consent, and a clear understanding of each individual's desires and boundaries.
Platonic kissing is defined as a kiss between two people who are not in a romantic relationship and do not have romantic feelings toward one another. As “kissing the homies” is normalized more within younger generations, students shared their opinions about getting more intimate with their friends.
It's also one of the ways to show care and support to your close friends as well as your significant other. 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.
Tying back into romantic love, studies suggest platonic love can help us develop healthy romantic relationships. Platonic friendships can teach communication, compromising and boundaries, all important aspects of a romantic relationship. Not to mention the common stories of people marrying their best friends.
"One of the big red flags of a situationship is that all communication is inconsistent. You may get a text or a call from the other individual but without any normal pattern," Cooper says.
When you have a platonic love relationship, you are more interested in spending time together, being great friends, supporting each other, and being happy together than in having children, making love, or physical touching. In contrast to this, a romantic relationship is based on physical attraction firstly.
When you're in a “we act like a couple but we are not official” scenario, you're in what's known as a situationship. Signs of such a dynamic include: An acute lack of labels. You're not going on actual dates, you're just “hanging out”
Daily experience suggests that non-romantic friendships between males and females are not only possible, but common—men and women live, work, and play side-by-side, and generally seem to be able to avoid spontaneously sleeping together.
Although, from time to time, feelings of attraction may occur, a true platonic soulmate remains linked in a way that goes beyond romantic relationships. It is an effortless connection where you feel attracted to each other, but it never turns toward romance.
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.
If there's platonic love between two friends, it doesn't mean that either person is cheating on their partner if they have one. The modern interpretation of platonic love is that it has nothing to do with your sex life or sexual interest and isn't a replacement for a romantic relationship.
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.