The True Friend with Benefits
The True Friend with Benefits
>>> Primal Urges
By staff writer Nathan DeGraaf
September 21, 2005
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Sharon: I want to have sex
right now.
Nathan: I have to get up for work in four hours.
Sharon: I didn’t ask you for your schedule, DeGraaf.
The true friend with benefits, unlike the friend with bullshit benefits, is someone who does not want a relationship with you, enjoys having sex with
you, and knows your phone number. There’s not much more to it than that. However, because I’m obligated to bust out at least 500 words a week in this here
column, I’m classifying the three types of true friends with benefits. All examples are taken from my pathetic excuse for a life. No names have been changed to
protect the innocent because everyone mentioned herein is generally guilty.
Sharon, the Crazy Ex
Sharon and I broke up a few years ago with fierce hatred for each other. After we broke up, I wouldn’t go to bed without making sure
that my Louisville Slugger was at arm’s length. The chick is insane. Nevertheless, the sex is awesome. So, whenever Sharon and I aren’t seeing anyone
exclusively, we reserve the right to go at it. This is a blatantly sexual relationship. For example, often times, when Sharon and I finish coital get downs, she’ll
say something along the lines of, “Wow, you could have put a little bit more into it than that,” or, “Jesus, last week was so much better. You have to
quit drinking.” When we see each other in public we ignore each other completely. I really don’t like her. She’s intelligent and hot, but she’s a
close-minded bitch. Because of this, we can have sex and
relax in the comfortable bed of knowledge that is our mutual dislike for one another. Now, technically, Sharon is not a friend, but “enemy with benefits”
sounds stupid. The truest definition of a friend with benefits is my friend, Kat. Hey, guess what the next paragraph’s about.
My Friend, Kat
Kat and I have been friends since high school. We value each other’s opinions and we look out for one another. Kat does her best to
deter me from getting drunk and making dumb mistakes and I do my best to deter Kat from falling for liars, hustlers and lawyers (she has a thing for intelligent
bullshitters). One day, while we were sitting in my apartment trying to figure out what to do on a Tuesday night, she said, “I haven’t gotten laid in three
weeks. I’m so horny.”
To which I replied, “You and me both, Kat.”
We looked at each other, shrugged, and then she said, “Oh, why the hell not?” And she kissed me. This eventually led to the
funniest sex of my life. (Side note: this is why men and women who fuck should never really be friends first. Friends know a great deal about each other. So when Kat and I
had sex, she would say things like, “Did you ever do this with that one stripper slut?” or, “Why don’t you break out those outfits I know you have?
I’d like to try the one that math major put on—you know, the chick who broke your window.” Because we knew so much about each other’s sex lives, we
couldn’t have sex without laughing at the oddness of it all. I’m not saying it wasn’t good, but it was awkward, that’s all.)
Now, women may tell you guys some bullshit about how having the sex ruins the friendship, but that’s bullshit. If neither person wants a relationship, the sex is just a way to cure a boring night. There’s one more example
here (and yes, I know my segues suck).
The Friend with Bullshit Benefits, Revisited
The one night stand turned friend with benefits turned ex-friend with benefits comes back, but only to have sex. Sometimes (i.e. almost
never) this works out. Most of the time, it does not work out and you fall right back into the vicious cycle of her trying to make you her boyfriend. I never let the
ex-friend-with-bullshit-benefits come back anymore because the odds of it working out are slim, and the odds of me getting arrested for assault increase with each attempt. But take your
own risks. It can work sometimes.
Obviously, humans do the sex with benefits gimmick because we like sex, so why can’t all relationships be so simple? Why do we have to tie sex to love? Because I
have no idea, I’m asking any female readers out there to let me know. This question has been bugging me for ten years (like most men, I don’t ask for
directions until I’ve been lost at least ten years) and I can’t tell you how badly I want it answered. I thank you in advance for your help.
Once again, Nathan DeGraaf is linking to his blog, The Nate Way, because self-promotion is the best kind of promotion.
And because he’s vain as hell.
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22 Comments
Love is a combination of many things, mostly friendly affection, sexual desires and jealousy (aka commitment). The best theory I have about love and sex relationships is based on evolution. Love will help sustain monogamous relationships which is safer (less STD's) and make it easier not to have sex with your sister (incest is avoided in most species using either the "love" concept or migration from the original family).
So, yes, a bit scientific. There's always room for argument though since sexual attitudes are also greatly influenced by social norms (example: polygamy).
BTW excellent column. Gives me something to read while putting off homework.
I think it's more of a biological motherly instinct thing for women. They want to hold on to someone they see as a provider and potential father, so love is an extension of that instinct to guilt-trip the man into staying around.
Women are nurturing and will raise children, men don't care and want to go out and bone as many sluts as possible. It's our biology to have as many offspring as possible to preserve/increase the human race.
Call me old fashioned, close minded or whatever the hell you want to, but sex should be connected to love. After all, who decided sex should be casual and no longer meaningful?
It's kinda disgusting to me that sex is brushed off as "just something to do". I don't believe it was designed to be like that.
Yes, men were meant to spread seed and populate the earth, but they can do that with one woman. They don't need 20 different ones. ( BTW, most people having sex aren't doing it to populate the Earth)
I mean come on people, an open mind is a great thing. So is an open window, but you keep a screen on it to keep the bugs out.
Personally i think sex should never be connected with love....pure sex is completely unemotional and fully hormonal. Love is only connected to love-making(hence sex with love, no matter how raunchy, is always love-making) The whole "men spreading their seed/women are nurturers who only want one sex partner at a time is a bunch of bullshit......show me one woman who hasn't looked as a strange hot guy and hasn't said to a friend "God, i want to bang that guy till i walk funny" you can't b/c all women want pure sex at some point in her life.
It's all about an orgasm. Reaching intense pleasure is the only thing that matters to me while having sex. And, just because you love a guy doesn't mean he's good at it. I don't think sex and love should be linked at all. I know some guys I hate now...but I'd sure as hell fuck them now for that intense orgasm! Why should a woman deprive herself of a good orgasm because she loves a man? It's a hormonal feeling. Interactive Porn. A good orgasm is priceless...no woman should feel improper by wanting the best of a NATURAL thing.
Bunni, please don't say "all women" when you don't know all women.
Every man starts out not being good at sex, but has the potential to become great at it. Why give up the guy you are in love with for a great orgasm when you can teach him how to give you one?
BTW, Most people defend casual sex because " it feels great", BULLSHIT. Saying that is just another way to defend having multiple partners or cheating on someone and feeling good about it. Sex is hormonal, but it isn't ONLY that. If this is the case, why even bother getting into a relationship or marrying someone if you need 12 different types of people to please your every need? It just doesn't make sense to me.
These are all very well though out and well conveyed opinions, and yet I don't feel any closer to the answer.
People are all different, I guess.
In my opinion, sex is awesome, with or without love. But love has never made the sex better (also my opinion).
Thanks for your comments (I am sighing heavily right now).
The reason we tie sex to love is because many people don't want to feel guilty for having casual sex. I'm not saying all people care but alot do. Girls feel if they have casual sex that they are going to be looked down on. It all has to do with reputation.
Nathan, that's just where guys and girls differ. Girls connect sex with love because it just makes it feel worthwhile, and a lot more intense. For me at least, I want to share the most intimate parts of my body and my life with someone I--well, I may not LOVE him, but I at least want an emotional connection there.
In short, girls grew up watching Disney movies where the first kiss=love. It took me awhile to realize that's not how real life works!
Sex is something that should be shared with someone that is special, or, in some cases, someone that you have a physical connection with. Sex is not always associated with love, but it is associated with the potential to develop into something extraordinary. You can’t help but develop feelings for someone that has rocked your world. The problem with you is that you want everything. You want to be able to have sex with random people, but make no other commitments. To say that love has never made sex any better is basically saying that you have never truly been in love. If you are looking for a feeling free thrill, jack your dick!
I just want to say that I have been in love, and because of that, there were moments where the sex had an emotional edge to it that was, well, heartwarming. For whatever reason, however, this was not enough to qualify my sex with her anywhere near my top ten experiences. Perhaps we need a combination of emotion, hormones and two people who know what the hell they're doing.
2 reasons. First, we're jealous jealous beings. If the sex is THAT good, we don't want to share. And if you're a middle child, you definitely don't share. at all. with anyone. ever. And the second reason... we buy into the whole "fairy tale, happily ever after" model.. given, sex has never been mentioned in these stories, but it's only because they all end right after the first kiss. you know i'm right. Cinderella got her shoe and was taken to the palace... the end. Bet you know what they did there. Snow White got a kiss and woke up.. and happily ever after (you know.. she had 7 dwarfs and they lived in a forest. let's be realistic about extra-curricular activities).
To summarize, that's just how it goes. so just play along ok? i like the challenge.
girls are needy jealous bitches. well, most of them are. i think insecurity fuels the tendency for girls to relate love to sex.
No one is going to deny sex with a hot man. regardless of emotional feelings. You just arent. Or, atleast, you shouldn't :)
Love your column...great insight into at least one male mind. Why can't all relationships be that simple? because at some point someone developed feelings, which I'm told is part of being human. The sex with benefits works only when you both know that no matter how terrific the chemistry in bed is you couldn't stand to wake up next to the person every morning. Absolute honesty, no strings, is fun, but guys, don't sleep over, don't do "boyfriend" things and when she flips out on you the first time, cut her off. Friends with benefits do not get jealous....
Heres a theory.
We all want someone to dote on us, whether or not we care about them in return or not. We want someone who will worship us and put us before all others. As an example I have a 'friends with benefits' deal with a female friend of mine and while I know we'd be terrible as a couple, I hate a lot of things about her and I get off on her praise of my 'skills', I still get jealous when she talks about other guys she's crushing on.
Why?
Because just once we want someone to (truthfully) put us above all others as the pinnacle of the opposite sex. We want someone to think of us 24/7 and hang off our every word/action.
And once again, why?
Well either its because:
1. We've done it to other people, so dammit I deserve some of that back. (Why is it Karma only works for punishing you?)
2. Everyone else gets it (whether or not they know it) so, once again, isn't it my turn?
3. (And the most likely) Deep down, we're all just a bunch of selfish jerks.
I'll be your true friend. Call me at
301-760-8211.
Ann
I have a friend with benefits and I like to have sex with him because I enjoy it. We don't hang out very often but we talk online sometimes. I think he felt guilty about having sex because of a realtionship he was in not very long ago that ended badly. I don't want to pull him into a committment with me because I have my own convictions about it. I really like making out with him and having sex with him but I am afraid he thinks I want to get him into another relationship. I know how we women can be, expecting to have a relationship with someone we are having sex with but I like my life the way it is, not having to worry about pleasing a guy's needs, because lets face it relationships are a lot of work. I would like to know, Is it not okay to try to be his friend because he might get the impression I am looking for more than I really am? It may be hard for some to believe but I really don't see the "fairy tale". Maybe when I was 6 but I am way past that. I like the idea that you can have a sexual relationship with someone with no strings but that there is an understanding that it is exclusive...my biggest concern about that is STD's, not having him to myself. As long as a guy is using protection and getting tested regularly I am ok with an FWB having other FWBs.
I currently have a friend with benefits...the problem is he doesn't have a lot of time to benefit me...We have a lot of issues because we were initially friends to begin with. I try to tell him that saying "I miss you and calling me cupcake and baby" is passing the friends with benefits line. I want to cut things off eventually but the sex is SO good...I crave it when he isn't around...
FwB is fun and i dont feel bad about using the girl who clearly wants a relationship eventually but i do feel bad about not feeling bad
ah well she wont be around forever so ill enjoy it while it lasts
I have just come out of a FWB relationship where the guy claimed he wanted just a platonic realtionship because he didnt think there was any sexual chemistry between us but he so liked my personality that he wanted me to stay as part of his life (WTF!) anyway, at first i said we should just go our seperate ways as i didnt see the point in stayin mates, but then he convinced me he issed me as a friend so we started meetin up again. The trouble is, the guy was all over me again (no sexual chemistry?) and then one night in the middle of what i thought was hot, passionate sex, he suddenly stops what we were doing and announces (AGAIN) that he couldn't carry on with me and didnt think we should EVER be physical again! I was hurt at first but am over it now. The trouble is he claims he STILL wants to be my mate, WHY? i just don't get it!
my fwb just dumped me -just like that outta the blue! I'm sooooo hurting right now that i don kno wat 2 do! i truly luved this guy and beleived he had feelings for me! he wud always do the bf thing, take me on long walks, cook 2gethr, eat 2gether, shop 2gether etc..and now hes just disappear from my life, vanished! he wud be ok wiv the ocassional txt or email or even telephone call to say hey how udoing but i wont be happy wiv that kind of friendship as it hurts me to much! Guys can be so cruel you know!
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