It’s not that I’m too conservative and I don’t really consider myself a prude (though most people would call me such), but there are some things that people can actually do with their friends (of the opposite gender) that I really consider “intimate”. 

ONE: GROCERY SHOPPING

It shouldn’t be a big deal but for me, it is. When you’re at the grocery, you buy what you need (like sanitary napkin, or toothbrush, etc). I find it intimate because you get to show the other person what you need. And at the same time, he could get the idea of what you need. 

TWO: BRUSHING YOUR TEETH TOGETHER

Blame it all in the movies. I just find it intimate that people share a mirror and sink to brush their teeth. Even if you don’t live together, it will feel like it.

THREE: VISITING YOUR HOUSE

Don’t get me wrong. I have my friends over sometimes. But there was never a time that only ONE MALE friend went to our house. It’s always been with a group. Visiting alone feels as if he has other intentions other than being your friend.

FOUR: HOLDING YOUR HAND

I hook my arms with my guy friends’ arms when I want to. I would rather do that than hold hands with them. I felt like the spaces between my fingers are only meant to be filled by THE ONE and not just a friend, no manner how close I am with that person. 

FIVE: TEXTING AFTER MIDNIGHT

You know that moment when you just start texting each other and then you’ll realize it’s already 3 am? For me, that’s really intimate. You should be resting…sleeping! Yet you chose to spend your sleeping time texting him. You tell yourself that you’re only doing it because “you can’t sleep.” Dear, you can’t sleep because reality is so much better than anything you can dream of. Just admit it. You like him.

SIX: GIVING GIFTS WITHOUT ANY OCCASIONS

Yes, you can give him a gift if you went on a vacation and bought some souvenirs. But you can never give him a gift just because it’s a sunny day or because it’s a Tuesday. Same goes to him. If it’s not Christmas or your birthday or your graduation or you won a Nobel prize or something, I find it intimate if he gives you a gift. Worst is if you found him carrying around a bouquet of flowers without apparent reasons.

SEVEN: GOING TO THE MOVIES 

There’s nothing wrong with going to the movies. But if it’s only the two of you, that’s where the problem lies. It’s a dark place and all guards are down (cause you’re watching a good movie and you’re bound to be vulnerable). It could just start with bumping with your shoulders… and then you hold hands. And that’s pretty intimate. 

EIGHT: DINING WITH YOUR PARENTS

It’s just you, him and your parents. It’s like you welcomed him into your family. If his parents were there, it could have been just a family friend dinner. But if it’s just him with your family, it’s like a super intimate moment where your parents focus are directed to him. It’s like they’re getting to know him as your almost-boyfriend. 

NINE: EAT TOGETHER

Eating is a necessity. But if a time comes where I only have a guy friend to have lunch with, I’d rather starve. You see, dining out with just the two of you would look like a date, no matter how platonic your relationship is. And don’t get me started with those “let’s just eat some take-out and watch a movie in your house” plans. When it’s just the two of you, you can have conversations that you never talk about with your other friends. And that’s pretty intimate to me.

TEN: BORROWING EACH OTHER’S STUFF WITHOUT ASKING PERMISSION

If he suddenly grabs your phone and plays with it without having to ask your permission (and you don’t even mind), it suggests your closeness. It’s like everything you own is his, and everything he owns is yours. Isn’t that intimate? So, you better work out your limitations.

BONUS*: HIM HAVING AN AWESOME RELATIONSHIP WITH YOUR PARENTS (OR YOU, WITH HIS PARENTS)

*Because you’re not doing it with him or him with you, but with your parents.

This screams intimate to me. If my guy friend happens to be facebook friends with my parents or if they have each other’s numbers, I would totally freak out. I mean, what could they possibly talk about? If they have an awesome relationship, your parents might expect him to be legally part of your family. Nuff said.