Having read through six pages of this argument, it seems that main bone of contention is what people are actually defining the 'friend-zone' as. And I would say that each definition has a different degree to which it should be derided and mocked. The definition that seems to have most people up in arms is the idea that a male has befriended a female with the sole desire to have sex with her, but can't bring himself to make any advances. They spend time together, as friends, and after some time the female begins dating someone else, who the male views as inferior. He then complains about being put in the 'friend-zone'. Personally, I can understand why this would annoy and anger a great many people, as the entire friendship is based on a lie, with the male not being forward with his intentions from the off, and ascribing blame to the female for some perceived slight that is in no way her fault. On the other hand, I don't think that the prevalence of this is nearly as widespread as many seem to believe, and I fear this definition has almost become a strawman. Borrowing a friend in order to look on the third hand, due to the widespread belief that this is the default definition of the 'friend-zone' I can understand why people would automatically assume why it is this being discussed.
A second definition that some people seem to be using is that the 'friend-zone' is a state where two people have been friends for a certain amount of time, with both being happy as friends. But one of the pair develops romantic feelings for the other, makes these feelings known, and is told that the friendship is too good to risk ruining in the event of a break-up. The rejected party would then be defined as being in the 'friend-zone'. I have a bit more sympathy for someone in this situation, but personally don't see a need to define it as a 'friend-zone', as the relationship is actually in the same state as it was before any romantic declarations were made, albeit with a probable period of awkwardness between the people involved.
The third definition I've seen is that the 'friend-zone' is simply the state of being friends with a person. This is the definition that I can personally agree with most, but it is also the most redundant, as there really isn't much need to define a friendship any further.
So overall, I find the term 'friend-zone' to be redundant. If you use the first definition, then quite frankly you have much more worrying problems than the fact that someone doesn't want to date you. And if you use the second or third, then there is no really reason to further define your relationship with someone.
If anyone wishes to disagree, agree, refute, insult or otherwise respond to my definitions or views, then I am more than happy to discuss them.
A second definition that some people seem to be using is that the 'friend-zone' is a state where two people have been friends for a certain amount of time, with both being happy as friends. But one of the pair develops romantic feelings for the other, makes these feelings known, and is told that the friendship is too good to risk ruining in the event of a break-up. The rejected party would then be defined as being in the 'friend-zone'. I have a bit more sympathy for someone in this situation, but personally don't see a need to define it as a 'friend-zone', as the relationship is actually in the same state as it was before any romantic declarations were made, albeit with a probable period of awkwardness between the people involved.
The third definition I've seen is that the 'friend-zone' is simply the state of being friends with a person. This is the definition that I can personally agree with most, but it is also the most redundant, as there really isn't much need to define a friendship any further.
So overall, I find the term 'friend-zone' to be redundant. If you use the first definition, then quite frankly you have much more worrying problems than the fact that someone doesn't want to date you. And if you use the second or third, then there is no really reason to further define your relationship with someone.
If anyone wishes to disagree, agree, refute, insult or otherwise respond to my definitions or views, then I am more than happy to discuss them.