Progressive Relationships: How Close is Too Close with a Friend of the Opposite Sex?

During a recent get-together with friends, we were discussing what interactions between men and women are acceptable when one or both people are in a relationship with others. There were quite a few differences in opinion, especially when it came to the closer interactions. There's usually a line drawn about how close you can actually get to a friend of the opposite sex while you're in a relationship, but with relationships becoming more progressive and that line placement shifting, how close is considered too close?

Staying at each other's houses

A guy friend once told me that he doesn't see it as a big deal if he or his girlfriend were to stay at a friends if the person is of the opposite sex. He said both parties should sleep in separate rooms and brought up that if the couple trusts each other it's not a big deal. While I agree on the trust issue, I wouldn't be comfortable with it unless there was a bunch of other people there or there was a really good excuse as to why my guy couldn't go back home or stay elsewhere. While it's typically not a problem, you may want to have a talk with your guy if this is something that starts to become a frequent thing.

Dining out together alone

I could care less if a guy I'm dating wants to have a meal or grab a drink with a female friend; however, there are those who would feel like he's on a date with the woman. Maybe it's not a big deal to me because I'm from an area where meals and drinks are a huge part of networking or socialization. If your guy tells you he grabbed coffee or dinner with a friend of the opposite sex, don't get upset unless you actually have a reason to; trust your guy, and if you don't, then the two of you have more to worry about than who is going out to lunch with whom.

Having a work spouse

Having a work spouse has become a pretty big issue in relationships in the past several years. The problem is that sometimes it might seem like the lines are blurring between friendship and emotional cheating. I don't see a problem with it as long as it's strictly platonic and my guy isn't sharing extremely personal details about our relationships with his "work wife." It also shouldn't interfere with or cause issues with our relationship. I actually think it's useful to have a work spouse; that person understands the ins-and-outs of the work environment in a way I might not, plus it could help improve his work life in terms of making it more pleasant and productive.

It can sometimes get a bit tricky to be close friends with someone of the opposite sex, but the keys to maintaining your relationship and friendship are trust and communication. Trust your guy and make sure he trusts you - but it's also important to give him a reason to. As progressive of a relationship the two of you may have, it's still important to communicate with each other and make sure both of you are comfortable and on the same page.

More from Lauren R:

Tips for when you and your guy have nothing in common
He doesn't want to get fully naked during sex
Reasons you should never just settle on a guy