It’s the classic cliché.
Boy meets girl. Boy falls in love with the girl. The girl doesn’t notice because she’s dating some jerk. Imminent drama pursues, probably in a parking lot before the big dance. The underdog comes out on top. Girl finally realizes that this guy is “the Guy” and they ride off happily into the sunset.
Stereotypes come in all forms. People, purposefully or otherwise, can judge and make assumptions about people or things that they are not familiar with. So they compartmentalize.
Kathy Werking, author of “We’re Just Good Friends,” explains that having a friend of the opposite gender is beneficial because it allows the opportunity to experience different perspectives. Males and females tend to go for these friendships because they are able to have one-on-one conversations with each other that they might not be able to have with a friend of the same gender.
Psychology Today’s website states that in order to ensure a healthy relationship the two people must first define the relationship, overcome the attraction- if it arises, establish equality, and lastly, learn how to deal with the doubters.
The idea that heterosexual men and women can only have a relationship if they have a romantic attraction, which is mainly demonstrated and promoted on television, is not practical and should not be assumed.
If you happen to come across this with situation with family members or friends accept what that person says at face value, if they decide to pursue a deeper relationship with that friend then that is their business. Plus, if they do end up together in the end you’ll have one heck of a story for the wedding toast.