Ok, a question on the male "just be friends" bit. Isn't it possible that a girl could like and respect someone, and not see him as a marriage partner? I have a number of male acquantainces that I like and respect and enjoy spending time with, but wouldn't marry because they don't share my values. If one of them asked me on a date, how am I supposed to say "I value your company but there's no chance of 'us'" without kicking him in the junk?
I can't possibly see making a guy jump through hoops. Unless I explicitly state the hoops. "Want to marry me? Well... you're going to have to get Daddy's permission first... *bat my eyelashes innocently*". But that's a different matter, I think...
Yeah, that was more or less what I was getting at, but you stated it better. (As usual!)
I don't always wear my faith on my sleeve - I don't hide it or anything, but people that I don't know through church or through something like this don't necessarily know my beliefs and values. And if someone who I know doesn't share any of the same beliefs and values asks me if I'd like to go out...and I know it's not gonna go anywhere...isn't it kinder to say something in the general vein of the "just be friends" line than it would be to lead him on?
Ugh...that makes me sound like such a snob, but hopefully makes sense.