That's a nice explanation and all but there are people that have close friendships with people of the opposite sex. Are they not supposed to confide in that person?
There
is that. Men and women
like to tell each other their problems, i.e. confide in the opposite sex. There are reasons for that
(but that's a whole 'nother post). Confiding typically involves sharing secrets - private thoughts and feelings, personal issues. Now transparency is good at times, but if you keep turning to the "friend" for counsel, consolation, assuaging of fears, hugs, laughs, one-on-one time, it'll tend to turn intimate. Man + woman, it just feels right. Plus there's risks to you, any time you open up. So choose wisely. Keep those mental barriers up. I'd say it's safest to confide in those you don't feel physical attraction to, someone you feel no need charm/impress, and someone in a relationship (or not in one ... can't decide ... dammit). For some guys - with their tendencies and thought patterns - it may mean no one of the opposite sex. It can be a fine line to walk and some choose to stay safely on one side out of consideration for their S/O.
I've counseled women before with relationship issues and it
does tend to foster a connection between us to the detriment of their partner, IMO (even though we lived 126 miles apart). First time she called I asked if she didn't have any girl friends to talk to about her marriage crisis. She said they were all too busy choosing curtain colors. hehehe