Should friends try dating one another?

Oh, this is such a tough question. I am big believer that men and women can be friends-even good ones-without being lovers. I am a very lucky man who has wonderful friends whom I value greatly of both genders.

When it comes to a relationship, you need a foundation of friendship in order to survive long term. Mutual interests and beliefs are important-but if you don't like spending time with the other person the relationship has no chance of long term survival. Here is where it gets complicated-if you've been friends with someone for a long period of time you need to tread very, very carefully if you take the relationship to the next level.

Sometimes a friendship is much more valuable than a relationship. Friendship is an overlooked and often downplayed relationship in todays society. Instead of risking a long term friendship to see if there is something more, you should probably hang on to what you have. Friends are easy to find if you aren't a total asshole. Good friends are much more rare and much more valuable.