I have several male friends some of whom are attached and some who are single, one of whom I'm very close to.

It's been my experience in the close opposite sex friendship that boundaries have to be discussed and agreed sooner or later, and as I'm married that has included my husband. If my husband didn't like or trust a male friend of mine that would be the end of it, but he likes and gets on very well with my close male friend and the three of us hang out together sometimes.

I think it would be very limiting to rule out 50% of the human race as friends, and feel that opposite sex friendships can be very valuable to both men and women, it's that balance and different perspective.

Attraction is a point to consider and be aware of, I would say I like all my male friends and appreciate their admirable and attractive qualities - mutual high regard, and it is a kind of attraction. But I'm always aware they're 'not for me', but some other lucky lady - if not now then in the future. I want good things for all my friends, male or female.

I won't lie, in the early days with my close male friend I had a couple of 'what is this?' moments because we were so close (very similar in personality), but the first time we hugged it was both revealing and relieving to discover it was non-sexual, and like a brother/sister. I feel very lucky and blessed to have him in my life.

Hope this makes some sense to you Macd123.