[cheerfulgreek]

Originally Posted by cheerfulgreek

--surface stuff, words, pet names, etc. that has nothing to do with the man himself falls by the wayside, for me.

Originally Posted by PiKA2001

I don't see how the use of boyfriend or girlfriend could be a "pet name".

I don't either.

Originally Posted by PiKA2001

I just think using "friend" is too ambiguous in these modern times.

Then don't use it. If you and the woman in your life are comfortable referring to each other as "boyfriend" and "girlfriend", then by all means, practice what the two of you agree on, and work on the small things you don't. I just think that couples who operate on the same wavelength maintain a consistent balance that increases productivity and the overall satisfaction with life and longevity in the relationship. It simply takes too much energy to try to get along with someone you don't agree with. This is why agreement is important.

Originally Posted by PiKA2001

Adult male/female platonic friendships are much more common today then say, 30-40 years ago where you could introduce someone as your "lady friend" and people could read between the lines.

What "people" have said about relationships "30-40 years ago", what is now socially acceptable today, and what "people" will change it to "30-40 years" from now, or whether they're able to "read between the lines" or not really isn't important, to me.

But like I always say, "to each its own".