Friends with Benefits: 4 Situations When It Works




Hollywood clearly has friends with benefits on the brain. Natalie Portman and Ashton Kutcher recently FWB-ed it up in No Strings Attached, while Justin Timberlake and Mila Kunis do the horizontal naked hug in the cleverly titled Friends With Benefits. But the problem, and I hate to issue a massive spoiler alert here because I'm sure you didn't see this coming ten miles away, is that these movies never depict actual friends with benefits. The friends always fall in love, and "boyfriend and girlfriend with benefits" just sounds kind of redundant. Hypothetically speaking (of course), under what circumstances could a friends-with-benefits situation work? Are there certain situations where it's not merely viable but preferable? How about ...

1. ... you've just gone through a breakup. You aren't quite emotionally ready for a new one, but boy howdy, you're ready physically. It's also nice to feel attractive again.

The Science of Sex: Why We Have Types



2. ... you've just lost someone important in your life, and your grieving process requires your full emotional attention, but the thought of a little physical companionship is comforting. They do say weddings and funerals are the best places to get some.

9 Bedroom Toys That Will Revolutionize Your Sex Life



3. ... you're kicking ass in your job, and you literally have no time to nurture a real relationship. You have just enough time and energy, however, to booty-call your friend for a little FWB TLC.


4. ... you're traveling with someone, or you're with them for a short, defined period of time, and while you get along and find them attractive, you don't necessarily see a realistic (or desirable) romantic future with them. But when in Rome ...

by, Kathryn Williams

More from Divine Caroline:
Dating Dilemmas Answered!
What's your Relationship Deal-Breaker?
6 Reasons You Should Not Have a Baby
The Odds of Becoming a YouTube Celebrity
Shampoos That Solve All Your Hair Problems


Connect with Divine Caroline:
Follow us on Twitter!
Find us on Facebook!
Share your story on DivineCaroline