How to Handle Leeches: Dealing with Sibling Exploitation While Living Abroad

First, it's important to define what we mean by friendship. For me, friendship is like love, but without the sexual aspect. It's a strong, sincere feeling that, unlike romantic love, is not limited to just one person. You can have several friends without being unfaithful to anyone. That said, you are supposed to love your friends, otherwise, it isn't really friendship. But what about carnal desire, attraction, and longing? Is it possible to have friends of the opposite sex without feeling desire for them? The answer is yes, of course! But it depends on several factors. If the person doesn't match our criteria for desire, if they don't appeal to us physically, or if they are too old, too young, or simply don't meet our preferences, then friendship is possible without the risk of attraction. The absence of desire makes the friendship pure and simple. If both people are homosexual and are therefore not attracted to the opposite sex, friendship becomes possible without ambiguity. However, this situation is rather rare. If sexuality and desire are not priorities in our lives, if we prefer to focus on other aspects of life, friendship between a man and a woman can be perfectly conceivable. We may be in a period of life where desire is less present, and we prefer tranquility and serenity. When it comes to friends who are couples, meaning we are friends with our partner's friend or have been sharing moments with other couples for a long time, a genuine friendship can develop. We can even be in intimate situations, like at the beach or on vacation, without feeling attraction. In all these cases, friendship is not only possible, but it can be very enriching. Having a friend of the opposite sex brings a different perspective, different advice, and can help us better understand certain situations. The difference enriches the relationship. However, things get complicated when there is attraction. If the attraction is mutual, why not give in to it? If two consenting adults feel desire, there's no harm in exploring that attraction. I don't think it can ruin a true friendship, provided the friendship is sincere. If the friendship is based on manipulation or hidden desire, then it is not a true friendship. In that case, it's better for the relationship to evolve or end, because one of the two was never honest in their intentions. It's true that sometimes things can go wrong. One might fall more in love than the other, or sexual compatibility might not be there, which can create tension. There is a risk of losing the original relationship, but if the person has great potential for friendship, the risk is often worth it. Shared memories, whether good or bad, are part of the richness of the relationship. Everything depends on the level of sincerity in the friendship before attraction intervened. Furthermore, sleeping with a friend doesn't mean that you can no longer have a serious relationship with that person. You can continue talking, going to the movies, going out, sharing moments of complicity, even after sharing an intimate experience. Once the passion of the first moments fades, it's possible to look the other person in the eyes without constantly desiring them, just as in a stable romantic relationship. Sex shouldn't ruin friendship, just as it strengthens love. In some cases, sleeping together, even if it doesn't last, can even lead to a beautiful friendship afterward. Once ambiguity is eliminated, complicity can settle in without awkwardness, which is very pleasant. It allows the bond to be strengthened without ulterior motives. To summarize, friendship between a man and a woman is entirely possible. When there is no attraction, it is simple and natural. When there is mutual attraction, it is possible to explore it and see what happens. It can lead to a romantic relationship, a strengthened friendship, or simply the end of the relationship if it doesn't work out. But it is often worth trying, because the potential for a true friendship is precious. In fact, in a couple, when everything is going well, the partner is often our best friend. We share everything, we confide in each other, and we mutually offer advice. We can be honest, say what we think without fear of judgment. A solid couple is primarily based on friendship. After the initial passion fades, what remains is complicity, trust, and friendship. However, there remains the delicate issue of non-mutual attraction. What happens when one person feels desire, but the other does not? In some cases, the person who is attracted can manage to seduce the other, showing their qualities, and they end up falling into each other's arms. The friendship turns into a romantic relationship while maintaining the foundation of initial complicity. It can be wonderful. But it also happens that the person who is attracted knows they have no chance. In this case, they can choose to remain friends, without insisting, without putting pressure on the other. They accept the situation, perhaps fantasizing in silence, but without being insistent or invasive. This person can be happy to continue seeing their friend, even if nothing more will ever happen. One day, they will meet someone else, and they may still remain friends with the person they were once attracted to, without ambiguity. In conclusion, friendship between a man and a woman is possible, but it is complex. Everything depends on the feelings and intentions of both parties. The absence of attraction makes friendship easier, while attraction, whether mutual or not, can complicate it, but not necessarily make it impossible. The key is sincerity, the ability to communicate openly, and respecting each other's boundaries. Friendship is not a form of seduction. It is based on sharing, complicity, presence, and affection without hidden expectations. We laugh together, share our stories, make plans, all without the pressure of sexual desire. And it is precisely this purity of affection that makes friendship between a man and a woman so precious. Yes, it is possible, but it requires honesty, respect, and sometimes, a bit of wisdom. So, single men and women, don't be afraid of friendship. It can be an incredibly enriching experience, as long as you are willing to accept the rules of the game and respect the other's boundaries. A true friendship can transcend attraction, bring joy, understanding, and remind us that sometimes, love doesn't need sex to be powerful.