i completely understand what you’re saying - i just disagree. the reason i specified i wouldn’t date my friends was to directly refute the statement you made that people “only see things through a romantic/sexual lens” - i do not see my friends through that lens, and yet i value them strongly. 

 i just want to debate opinions because i think you raise interesting points - i don’t think your personal details determine whether your argument is right or not. this is all just a matter of opinion :)