Can You Really Be Friends With Benefits?

With last year's release of "No Strings Attached," and the premiere of "Friends With Benefits" on July 22nd of this year, the topic of casual sex is hotter than ever.

The question on everyone's mind is simple: "Does it work?" Can two people ever really have a relationship that's physical but not romantic?

The short answer is yes. The long answer is yes, but I can't promise it will always be smooth sailing.

Before we get into the nitty-gritty details of how to make it work, let's take a look at a few of the pros and cons of FwB arrangements:

The Pros

• Pure entertainment. An FwB arrangement offers fun and companionship without the pressures and restrictions of a more serious relationship.
• Convenience. If you're not able to commit to the time-consuming process of flirting, dating, and maintaining a relationship, an FwB situation is a more efficient option that can be worked into any schedule.
• Comfort. You're friends - you already know you enjoy each other's company, and you're comfortable around each other. It's as though you've fast-forwarded through the awkward early dating stages of a relationship and gotten straight to the good part.
• Flexibility. You can structure the arrangement any way that works for you and your FwB, meaning that you can have anything you want from a relationship without having to deal with anything you don't. There's no right or wrong way to do it, as long as it meets your unique needs.
• Clarity. Instead of fretting over whether someone is really into you or wondering where a relationship is going, an FwB arrangement offers simplicity and clarity. Provided that everyone involved is consistently honest and up-front, you know exactly what you're getting and exactly what you're not.

The Cons

• Emotional entanglement. This is the most obvious potential downside of a no-strings-attached arrangement. No matter how hard you try to block them out, feelings can slip through the cracks (yes, even for men!). When they're one-sided, the relationship is headed for a breakdown.
• The degeneration of a friendship. In any FwB arrangement, you run the risk of losing a friendship if things end poorly. Try to remember to put the friendship first.
• Territoriality and jealousy. Sometimes it can be hard to remember that as an FwB, you don't actually have any say in the other person's life. Resist the urge to be possessive, and wish them well when and if they decide to move on.

So how do you make it work? The nitty-gritty details, up next.