friends with benefits…

There is definitely something to be said for the growing awareness of casual, no string attached relationships. Some might say that these promiscuous relationships have become popular over the past decade, I disagree. We’re all warm blooded creatures with sexual desire and have been that way since the dawn of time. The difference may be that society is more tolerant and embracing of our boudoir antics than ever before.

Within TV shows, magazine articles and coffee shop gossip it is socially acceptable to divulge the gruesome details of our sexual conquests in all their embellished glory. In my opinion, that is the only difference between sexual relationships now and 100 years ago.

A friend with benefits is someone whose primary function is to provide sexual satisfaction. Sure they’re also probably someone who you can have great conversation with, share similar interests and have a degree of respect for. But all said and done, when you’re slightly tipsy on a Friday night, it’s their number who you text, “Wanna shag?” knowing that there’s a high probability of uncomplicated, no commitment sex to round out the night.

On paper a friend with benefits is a brilliant scheme. It takes all the hard work out of scoring a one night stand, it is perhaps a safer option and there aren’t any tricky emotionally awkward situations to deal with. From the outset the terms are understood and mutually agreed. Friends with benefits scheme offer different terms and conditions. I suggest you shop around and read the fine print carefully before you commit to something that isn’t necessarily right for you.

I don’t think there is necessarily anything wrong with having a friend with benefits. However, I do think that involves a certain level of emotional maturity. It isn’t necessarily right for everyone. Where I see the friends with benefits system fail is where people who are looking for a relationship, but can’t find one decide to settle on developing a friends with benefits relationship.

Whatever the motive, to fill the sexual gap until a relationship arrives, loneliness or the hope that the relationship will turn into true love, if you are looking for more than just sex, steer clear of a FWB relationship. If you are clear that all you want during a given period of your life is simply, no strings attached sex; then by all means a friend with benefits is the perfect solution.