This question is very reminiscent of: "Is there life on Mars?". It makes me want to say "no". On the other hand, it is not one hundred percent proven, or depending on which side to approach.

Nature is so arranged that opposites attract. Why are they attracted? Because together they form a whole. How can there be a whole without intimacy? That's it.

As a rule, if two He and She "play" in friendship, there is a high degree of probability that one of them is waiting for this relationship to develop into something more. A man under the guise of a friend is ready to listen to any revelations of a girlfriend in order to make an understanding look and even try to suggest options for a way out of this situation. In fact, this turn of events could really help him get closer to her. After all, she is looking for support and (ideally) finds it in the friendly arms of a male friend. Such closeness cannot pass without a trace: when plus and minus are too close, the circuit closes.

What is friendship between a man and a woman

However, the concept of "friendship" has no definite boundaries. It is impossible to determine a clear list of actions that add up to the very desired value. Two people of different sexes can meet periodically, discuss common interests and receive satisfaction from mutual energy exchange. Interest is maintained due to different views on topics close to both. If, for example, a man discusses a problem or an issue of concern with colleagues or friends of the same sex, then this can result in an argument or even incompatibility of views and, as a result, a conflict. In the society of a lady, everything is different. He expresses his view of things, she - hers. But even if they are different, he "forgives" her her attitude to the issue, because she is a woman, but it was still interesting to listen to her point of view.

That is, when a friendship arises between a man and a woman in the form of periodic meetings to discuss some interesting topics for both, then most likely it’s not even friendship, but a good acquaintance that arose not at a banquet or party, but just in the process of working relationships. That's when both are interested in how the former colleague is doing, how the business is developing. For a man, this is rather an unspoken rivalry. That is, he can tell the lady about his successes and grow in her eyes, and at the same time amuse his pride. If she surprises him with her promotion, then this only provokes him to “surprise” her next time too and, most importantly, “surpass” her.

Due to such “harmless” meetings, a man asserts himself. Firstly, it is easier to play a hero in front of a woman than among equal “fighters”; secondly, the lady deserves indulgence, that is, you can feel sorry for her, sympathize with her, present a gift and respect yourself: "how noble and disinterested I am." That is, a kind of charity for the growth of their own self-esteem.

But what about a woman? Why is she in such a relationship? For example, a married lady, if she strives for self-realization, including in business, may be interested in a male friend as a person who has achieved something. The male point of view, at times, is radically different from the female one, but if this leads to victory, why not listen to it, and perhaps adopt it. Today, some women run companies as well as men, and use any valuable information, including that coming from men.

If a woman is unmarried, then, rather, such meetings will matter to her, like a story with a sequel. Because in such a situation, any man is a potential partner, and supposedly friendship is a pretext for rapprochement. It is clear that if a man is unsympathetic, not to her taste, then she is unlikely to waste time “chatting” with him. But if you really strive for contact, then you are interested.

Moreover, often such friendly meetings arise against the background of conflicts in the family of both friends. Or at least, misunderstanding , tense situation at home push to communicate with members of the opposite sex. To begin with, one of the parties tries to understand why the spouse or spouse behaves this way, addressing this question to a third party. To explain to oneself the actions of loved ones, taking into account the opinion of a person of a similar sex. That is, a woman, for example, wants to understand why her husband behaves this way, and whether all men behave the same way in similar circumstances. At the same time, he hopes to receive an answer from a friend. But, as usual, difficult situations bring people together. And where there was a friend, a new object of hobbies appears as compensation for emotional upheavals in his family.

It is wrong to ignore the situation when both are ex-spouses. If people part not as enemies and are quite loyal to each other, then they can communicate calmly. When everything that connected them as a man and a woman "burned out", there was a variant of communication between man and man. Maybe this can be called friendship, but most likely, the usual respect. Still, friendship implies a certain reliability of both parties in the event of an unforeseen situation. It's all relative though.