I've written a similar article on this topic before but I feel like it's worth writing about again. I'm sorry to break it to you all, but the infamous "friend zone" does not exist.

The definition of the "friend zone" is when one of two people in a friendship wants to take it to the next level (romantically, sexually, etc...) but the other does not, so the latter is then deemed to be stuck in the "friend zone."

Can we just think about this for a second? There are men and women getting angry, throwing fits, and stomping their feet just because someone doesn't see them as more than a friend. Normally, this wouldn't be an issue -- but the reason these people are angry is that they feel they deserve more than a friendship from this person.

You don't deserve anything from anyone except respect, and that's only if you earn it and show it in the first place. Just because you've created a friendship with someone (even if you might have wanted more from the beginning), you are not entitled to eventually have more.

And the people who are accused of doing the "friend zoning" are not obligated to show you anything past a friendship just because you were nice to them.

This is how a relationship works. This is how life works. Not every person you want will want you back. Not every relationship you have will be able to work out, and that can be because of a number of reasons.

The bottom line of all of this is that not everything is handed to you, especially not relationships. They take hard work, and patience, and kindness, and time, and risks-- they risk that it may not work after everything. And it's time that people be at peace with that.

Do you really want to force someone into a relationship with you just so they can stop hearing you stop crying about how you've been friend zoned? A pity relationship? That's not happiness.

And if you're not particularly concerned with the emotional part of a relationship and are just harping on someone for sexual reasons, get over yourself. That's not what life is about. But if it is the only thing you are so concerned about, find someone who shares your views and stop harassing others who don't.

If you really care about the person you are pursuing, you will respond with patience and understanding... not anger.

So, in conclusion, the friend zone does not exist. It is simply a term in popular culture that people use to shame those who are honest about their feelings and that people use to feel better about their poor luck (or lack of effort) in relationships.