Expert outlines boundaries for friendships involving attraction

Culture · First reported 31 Oct, 14:57 · Updated 15:40

Image: Wikimedia Commons · NASA Johnson Space Center · Public domain

Relationship expert Susan Trombetti says attraction alone does not make a friendship unfaithful, but emotional intimacy and secrecy can blur boundaries. She lists warning signs and suggests clear limits and transparency with a romantic partner.

Trombetti says finding a friend attractive does not, by itself, constitute infidelity; she warns that unspoken feelings and growing emotional intimacy can complicate boundaries.
Warning signs she identifies include prioritizing the friend over a partner, secrecy, private routines, and jealousy about the friend’s dating life.
To keep a friendship platonic, Trombetti recommends boundaries such as limiting late-night texting and being transparent with a partner; she says jealousy should be considered in context.

Summary written by Lux AI from 2 articles

Key facts

Expert: Susan Trombetti, relationship expert and CEO of Exclusive Matchmaking.
Warning signs: The articles identify five: prioritizing the friend, an insular private dynamic, secrecy, unwarranted jealousy, and suspicion from others.
Suggested boundaries: Avoid flirtatious banter and physical touch, limit late-night texting, and be transparent with a partner.