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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BeefySenpie · M

People use the label friend zone because they're frustrated they've been rejected, not for the reason you describe.

A friendship that turns romantic has a much greater chance of success these days, because there's less expectation and more patience since neither party is in a hurry.

ShadowSister · 46-50, F

@BeefySenpie I agree. I don't like the term "friendzone" for that reason. Sometimes the term smuggles in an underlying expectation or resentment that the attraction is not reciprocated.

So given the danger that neither person wants there to be resentment or hurt, how would you even check in to see if the other person is even open? I don't know, the entire concept seems so fraught with potential problems. It kind of freaks me out.