Can a Friendship Turn Romantic?

I had a conversation with a friend over the weekend who said she hates using dating apps. She prefers to get to know someone as a friend first, and then see if it turns into something romantic.

I commented how that feels exactly opposite of my experience. For me, when someone is a friend, you don't want to muck it up by adding a romantic dimension to the relationship. It's why people have labeled it the "friend zone." My friend said she finds it much easier to ask out someone she already has built trust with. And I said that I would find it much more awkward to do so.

What do you think? Have you ever experienced a friendship turned romantic? If so, how did it happen? Because sorry, I just can't get my mind around it.

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Cybermale · 51-55, M

Its callled old school dating and to me its the preferred way dating. This dating apps thing leaves to much error for misrepresentation.

ShadowSister · 46-50, F

@Cybermale Okay, I feel like I agree. But there are a lot of ways to go about old school dating. You meet someone irl, strike up a conversation, give signals that you are interested, and if they respond positively, you ask them out for a date. But if you start with friendship, how do you then later add signals that you are interested. I feel like that could muck up a good friendship.

Cybermale · 51-55, M

@ShadowSister It could muck up a good friendship. Maybe If you try to say it's a formal thing, But if you work your way into it and not even talk about it and just let it happen you'll never know the difference

ShadowSister · 46-50, F

@Cybermale Well I can't imagine how it could work without talking about it. But work your way into it together makes sense.

Cybermale · 51-55, M

@ShadowSister its a slower pricess ,,but in the end it works better

ShadowSister · 46-50, F

@Cybermale Slow can be good if it gives you a good foundation together