Just wondering, I've been stuck in "the zone" most of my life. I find it often easier to talk to the opposite sex, make them laugh. I'm not so good at "figuring out" the signals - that might be part of it, and I'm sure my level of respect may keep me from being more bold but I often hear of women being bolder or being more intune to a guy not "picking up the signals of interest" so not sure where to go from here...

I'm certainly NOT interested in becoming a "player"...

Ideas? Suggestions?

ask them for their phone number and then on a date .... etc

Women don't do this.

Morphine and 80s metal bands, course not in that order.

Lol...that's where the "respect" comes in...makes me a bit more timid that one would expect...

lose contact with them and see how long it takes them to notice you haven't contacted them

Interesting approach ;)

Group outings.
It worked twenty years ago when I was learning how to date. Still works in the here and now.
My friend is recently divorced and she and I started going out every other weekend (when she doesn't have her kids) because she is learning to test her wings again.
In our outings we met a guy who was interested in her. He came over and started chatting with both of us. When we all hit it off, he called his buddy over to see if the four of us want to go get some food.
So we did, had fun talking and being silly. he called her the next day to see if she wanted to go for drinks and/or dinner. She wasn't comfortable yet to go on her own. So he told her bring me and he brought his buddy. We all four went several places so they could get to know each other and all of us hang out. Play pool, darts, motorcycle races.
His buddy and I would be there but give enough space for something to develop. Plus the added benefit that since I think the guy is a good match for her so I encouraged her to give him a chance. Now it is three months later and he is officially her boyfriend.
Wish you good luck.

Good thread. Thanks for posting it. I like how you have the word 'respect' in the middle of it. Can you respect someone you don't trust? Or can you trust someone you don't respect? The friend-zone can be a nice and comfortable place to be to a certain extent. Hang in there. I think the certain extent would be up till you wanted more. Maybe as a friend you could ask the friends if they had a friend who wanted more like you do.

Don't suck up to them too much. Women have grown accustomed to being spoiled but deep down all they really want is to be completely dominated sexually.

Little things to let the girl know you're thinking of her.

Just pull out your wallet. You'll quickly be transformed from 'friend' to 'lover.' Oh and flex a time or two..that usually turns us on.

Er, how many we waitin' on here?

I'm always in the friend zone too, and it has made it so that I feel I have to show interest as soon as I have those feelings so that I don't end up there permanently. Showing interest doesn't have to be aggressive or disrespectful.

I'm always the funny girl too, nothing wrong with slipping a few flirtatious jokes in there, since humor is where you feel comfortable. If they respond, roll with it, if not, they might not be interested, but at least you know.

Okay....in all seriousness here. When I was younger I fell into this category. For whatever reason girls always trusted me and wanted me around....but as a friend. I was the one who they called for a shoulder to cry on. And man....did that ever get old, lol.

I am still that way today, but the main difference now as to back then is that I don't hold back. I was always apprehensive to tell the girl I liked that I...well...liked her. And that move always gets you in the friend zone. Now I will tell a woman that I like her, or I will tell her that I want to be her friend. Funny thing is that now I seem to be the one who puts women in that zone. I don't do it to be mean. I am just open and honest about how I feel. I mean, life is too short to not tell someone how you do (or don't) feel about them.

Those kind of statements aren't allowed on the forums.

Actually...there is a way around that. If you post something serious every 5.2 days then you can slip by.

I usually get men who want to have sex with me or men who want to be able to say 'Oh I know that girl!' but I never seem to get anyone in between.

Friendzone would be great!

I'll keep that in mind

There of course is the outta the zone. I prefer to be at least in the friend zone than out.