This is a special cross-post from AskTheHarvardMBA.

Here’s the first part of the post:

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I’m a freshman in college, and I see a lot of close male-female friendships. My question is, if neither is in a relationship, can they be friends without an underlying sexual tension arising? A lot of people swear that they can, but I don’t believe them.

The Harvard MBA says:

A single man and a single woman can definitely be friends without sexual tension, as long as at least one of them is gay or hideously unattractive.

Otherwise, you’re right and your friends are wrong. Sex will always be a part of the equation.

In an earlier era, this was called the “When Harry Met Sally” principle, after the hit movie starring Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal.

Unfortunately for the sake of this response, “When Harry Met Sally” was released in 1989, which means you probably weren’t born yet, and are wondering, “Who’s Meg Ryan?” and “Who’s Billy Crystal?”
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For the rest of the story, check out the post:
http://www.asktheharvardmba.com/2008/05/10/can-a-single-man-and-a-single-woman-be-friends-without-sexual-tension-arising/

I’ll leave you with one tidbit that my pal David Weekly particularly liked:

“It’s frankly amazing that the average Friday night at the dining hall doesn’t devolve into a massive Roman orgy.”

David’s response? “Well, i don’t know where YOU eat, but I have very exciting Friday nights.”

Indeed.