Friends of the opposite gender while in a relationship?

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Something came up in a previous topic on another forum that I'd like to discuss and see what other opinions are out there. I was perfectly fine with someone's explanation for not having a male friend while in one, because it's not my business to change minds if the relationship is good, because of it.

Anyways, I personally like talking with female friends (I'm male), because I can get the right answers and I don't have to bottle it up, plus male friends aren't friends to talk certain topics with. How many of you like to talk with others of the opposite gender privately, while in a relationship. I've never been in one and there was one woman that wouldn't have let me, if it had gotten that far with me, because of her jealousy issues, which she openly admitted to.

Anyways, in my opinion it's a good thing to have friendships with the opposite for relationship advice and such, plus I think it's fair enough to expect the other person to have a male friend. I like to think a friend can be found anywhere. I know girl my age that i'd never even consider seeing as more than a friend, but they're great to talk to and hang out with.

I do see the opposite side of this to a degree, but that to me is a personal opinion and everyone's going to be different in their interactions. Talking to someone of the opposite gender can create jealousy problems, but again sort of falls onto who you are or maybe even past experiences.

I kind of can refer to an old Flintstone's episode where Wilma wanted to see, privately, a male friend from her past and Fred's reaction to it.

To me, if you're in a relationship, this might be something to bring up. And I believe a mutual agreement is needed, so that respect and commitment to each other is well established.

friends are important. which sex they are is not so important. someone who is so jealous they don't allow their partner to have opposite-sex friends is displaying one of the warning signs of being physically abusive as time goes on.

I don't see a problem with it.

Boy, talk about a touchy subject! Men have been known to go into fits of rage when they find out their sweetheart has been keeping company on the side with a strictly platonic male friend. Hopefully the woman in the relation would have the sense to understand that this is a sensitive move and let her boyfriend in on it. (Same goes if the shoes were on the other feet, by the way).

I see no problems with it personally as long as there are no intentional secrets. By that I mean "I'm going out with friend/friends" and one of them is a guy that's fine. They don't need to state it's a guy. But when it's like "I'm going out." and they are seeing just a guy, and get very touchy if you ask any questions then that to me is not a very honest move on their part.

Yeah, i think at least the other should know about it.

As you remain loyal to your "significant other," you should be OK. Make sure they know about it, just because you are in a relationship is no reason not to have other friends too.

Ideally, there should never be an issue with seeing friends of the opposite sex and talking to them. The only issues that might come up might be how much time is being spent with any particular friend compared to you, and whether that person happens to be an ex-bf/gf.
The ex is also a very touchy subject in it's own right. Plenty of people have been dumped because the ex re-entered the picture.