I appreciated the support on the anti-Shane post. Both from the written comments as well as those of you who verbally expressed feelings similar to mine. Maybe as a form of protest we should all go out and buy expensive shoes. 

But enough about that.

There's an infamous phrase that I want to talk about. Perhaps you've heard it. Perhaps you've said it. 

"I don't want to risk losing our friendship". 

Nobody has said this to me recently so this post isn't a response to anything in particular. In fact I'm not totally sure when this was ever said to me.

But I don't like it. 

If a guy is interested in a girl, and that girl is interested in that guy, and one or both of them decide that they don't want to date because they might lose their friendship, then they're either idiots or not telling the truth. 

There are plenty of acceptable reasons not to date a friend.

You're not attracted to them. They don't possess qualities you want in another person. Or you're just flat out not interested in dating them. 

So say that. 

If there's another reason you don't want to date someone, don't use the friendship thing as an excuse. Just say it. 

And if you are interested in someone and they feel the same way....give it a shot. If your friendship is so good and so important to both of you, it will probably survive. 

Plus, if a guy and a girl have such a strong friendship, you'll have a hard time convincing me that there isn't something else going on under the surface. Maybe not every time. But often enough. 

I'm done.