Why Are Some "Nice Guys" Friend-Zoned?

As children, we're taught to be nice to others.

Being a nice or agreeable person is also rewarded in other settings. For instance, young children's report cards often cite agreeableness as a valued trait: "Johnny plays well with other children" or "Sara shares her toys with her classmates" and so on.

Being  Performatively"Nice" to Hide Certain Aspects of a Personality

People who are genuinely agreeable come across as open, authentic and trustworthy with good communication skills, healthy boundaries and a real interest in other people. They have no hidden agenda.

Why Are Some "Nice Guys" Friend-Zoned?

But there are people who are "nice" in a performative way to hide certain aspects of their personality. These are often the people who get friend-zoned because others can sense their behavior is really about people-pleasing to mask parts of their personality.

These people have such problems showing others who they really are that their behavior becomes performative as a defense against showing their true self. Instead, they come across as fake, which also known as a false self.

Their behavior can range from insecure, lacking in confidence and non-assertiveness to passive aggressive behavior.

Clinical Vignette

The following vignette is a composite of many different cases:

Larry

By the time Larry started therapy at age 35, he felt hopeless about ever being in a relationship.

He had gone out with a few women, usually for only one or two dates, but he had never been in a committed relationship.

His dating history started in his senior year of college when a woman he liked, Sara, asked him out to lunch. 

Sara was friendly and outgoing and she had many friends at college. There were many young men in college who were attracted to her, but she wasn't exclusive with anyone when she asked Larry to go for lunch.

Larry was surprised that Sara asked him out. He considered Sara to be the type of woman who would never be interested in him.

Soon after Sara's invitation, Larry's usual insecurities came up. He feared she wouldn't find him interesting--even though they had a lot in common. He also feared if she got to know him, she wouldn't like him (see my article: Overcoming the Fear That People Won't Like You If They Get to Know You).

As a result, Larry had such a lack of self confidence that he felt he had to be extra nice to Sara on their date. He agreed with everything she said and he went out of his way to do whatever she wanted to do. 

Why Are Some "Nice Guys" Friend-Zoned?

After they went to lunch a couple of times, Larry was disappointed that Sara was confiding in him like a friend. She even asked him for advice about how to handle a romantic situation about another guy.

When Larry talked to his friend, Ed about this, Ed told him, "You've been friend-zoned. Does she even know you're interested in her?"

In response, Larry told Ed that he couldn't see how Sara wouldn't know because he was bending over backwards to be nice to her.  Ed seemed skeptical, "But have you even flirted with her or told her you're attracted to her?"

Larry wasn't sure how to tell Sara he liked her, so he kept putting it off.  Then, weeks later, she told him she was interested in another young man at their college, John. When Larry heard her gush about John, he felt crushed and, eventually, he felt angry and resentful.

A few months later, Sara told Larry that she and John were getting an apartment together off campus. Larry felt his heart sink. 

Then, Sara said, "Before I met John, I really had a crush on you, but I never got the vibe from you that you were interested."

Larry remained silent, but he was shocked.

Now, at the age of 35, he told his therapist that this was his usual experience with women and he couldn't understand why this was happening to him, "I'm so nice to them and they don't appreciate it. Maybe they prefer guys who aren't nice."

Larry's therapist helped him to see that what he described as "nice" was really his way of hiding parts of his personality, including his erotic self, and that the women he dated didn't know he was interested in them because he suppressed his erotic self (see my articles: What is Eroticism? and What is Your Erotic Blueprint - Part 1 and Part 2).

They did Parts Work Therapy to help Larry explore the different aspects of his personality that he disliked so much and he tried to keep them hidden (see my article: How Does Parts Work Therapy, Like IFS and Ego States Therapy, Help You to Get to Know Yourself?)

The work in therapy was neither quick nor easy, especially since Larry had so much shame.

Over time, Larry practiced self compassion and self acceptance and this helped to boost his self confidence with women.

After he learned to be attuned to his own eroticism and he allowed that part of himself to emerge when he was interested in a woman, his romantic and sex life improved.

Conclusion

Being nice (or agreeable) can be a positive trait when it's genuine.

But when being "nice" is a defense against showing your true self, other people can sense that the agreeableness is performative and it comes across as being fake.  This is one of the reasons why many men get friend-zoned by women.

In the vignette above, Larry lacked self confidence and he was out of touch with his erotic self, so women he was interested in didn't even know it. They assumed he wasn't interested in them. 

But once he overcame his shame, developed self confidence and he became attuned to his own eroticism, he was able to allow this part of himself to emerge so that women knew he was interested in them and he was no longer friend-zoned.

There can be many different reasons why people, knowingly or unknowingly, hide parts of themselves with the result that they come across as fake.

Parts Work Therapy and other types of Experiential Therapy can help you to become more attuned to your true self so that you come across as more genuine.

Aside from Parts Work Therapy, other types of Experiential Therapy that can help include:

• EMDR Therapy (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing

• Somatic Experiencing

• AEDP (Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy)

Getting Help in Experiential Therapy

If you're struggling with lack of confidence and you think you might be hiding aspects of your personality, you could benefit from working with a licensed mental health professional who does Parts Work Therapy or another form of Experiential Therapy.

Learning to attune to yourself and feeling confident enough to show your authentic self can help you to have a more fulfilling life.

About Me

I am a licensed New York psychotherapist, hypnotherapist, EMDR, AEDP, Parts Work, EFT (for couples), Somatic Experiencing therapist.

I work with individual adults and couples.

To find out more about me, visit my website: Josephine Ferraro, LCSW - NYC Psychotherapist.

To set up a consultation, call me at (917) 742-2624 during business hours or email me.

Dating: How to Move Beyond Small Talk

A steady stream of small talk during the initial phase of dating can be boring and feel superficial (see my article: What to Talk About on a First Date).

Moving Beyond Small Talk on a Date

Small talk lacks depth and fails to create a meaningful connection when you're trying to get to know someone.

Aside from this, it can be disappointing when the conversation remains on this level because the interaction feels flat and uninspiring.

People who cannot communicate beyond small talk will often find it difficult to transition to build momentum and excitement in the conversation. 

Suggestions on How to Move Beyond Small Talk

• Express Curiosity: Show you're interested in what your date is saying by showing your curiosity.  Ask open-ended questions. If there's something your date says that you don't understand, ask clarifying questions. If you can share a similar experience, you can show you relate to what they're talking about.

Moving Beyond Small Talk on a Date

• Share Personal Insights and Experiences: Open up and share a little bit about yourself. This can be a personal interest of yours, a small personal challenge or a recent experience.

Moving Beyond Small Talk on a Date

• Try to Find Common Ground: Talk about your interests and hobbies to see if you can find common ground with your date. This will provide you with an opportunity to explore your mutual interests together and deepen your connection.

Moving Beyond Small Talk on a Date

• Practice Active Listening: Pay attention to what your date is communicating both verbally and nonverbally. Avoid interrupting or jumping to conclusions and allow your date to finish what they're saying.

If you're able to follow these tips, you can move beyond small talk and develop a genuine connection.

About Me

I am a licensed New York psychotherapist, hypnotherapist, EMDR, AEDP, EFT (for couples), Somatic Experiencing and a Certified Sex Therapist.

I work with individual adults and couples.

To find out more about me, visit my website: Josephine Ferraro, LCSW - NYC Psychotherapist.

To set up a consultation, call me at (917) 742-2624 during business hours or email me.

Also See My Articles:

Floodlighting: How to Stop Oversharing During the Initial Stage of Dating

Why Do Some People Prefer to Text Instead of Meeting in Person?

Dating Again in Your 40s, 50s, 60s and Beyond

Are You Dating or in a Relationship?

Why Do People Leave Relationships By Ghosting?

Relationships: Why Searching For the "Perfect" Partner Will Disappoint You

Over the years I've had many clients focused on trying to find the "perfect" partner who end up feeling disappointed and discouraged (see my article: Dating For a Lasting Relationship: The Spark vs the Slow Burn).

The "Perfect" Partner Doesn't Exist

I've also worked with clients already in fulfilling relationships who believe they might be able to find someone else who might be even "better" in the long run. 

Their attitude is, "Sure I'm in a fulfilling relationship, but I wonder if I might be able to find someone who I would be even happier with."

Why Does Searching For the "Perfect"Partner Leave You Feeling Disappointed?

There is no such thing as the "perfect" partner and if you think in those terms, you could become chronically dissatisfied with any relationship (see my article: Relationships: The Ideal vs the Real).

Instead of focusing on perfection, which doesn't exist, focus on knowing yourself, the qualities you want in a partner and the deal breakers you can't live with instead of superficialities:

• Know Yourself: Start with self awareness and reflection: What are your values? What would be fulfilling to you? What are your needs and wants? (see my article: What is Self Reflective Capacity and Why Is It Important to You?).

Know Yourself

• Be Open and Honest With Yourself: Be aware of your standards and be open, honest and flexible without compromising what is truly important to you.

• Prioritize Character Over Personality: Looking beyond superficialities, character is more important than personality in the long run. Consider the ethical principles and values that guide a potential partner's behavior. Is it consistent with your principles and values? (see my article: The Problem With Falling In Love With Charisma Instead of Character).

Choose Character Over Personality

• Take Your Time to Get to Know a Potential Partner: One of the biggest mistakes people make when they are considering someone as a potential partner is that they rush into a relationship too quickly. They don't take the time and then, after they have defined themselves as exclusive, they discover either they're not compatible or the person they chose isn't who they thought they were. Some people do this over and over until they feel discouraged about relationships in general (see my article: How to Stop Rushing Into a Relationship Too Quickly).

Take Your Time

• Embrace Imperfections: This includes a potential partner's imperfections as well as your own (see my article: Overcoming Perfectionism).

Embrace Imperfections

• Consider the Long Term: Will you and your potential partner be compatible in the long term? Will you encourage each other's personal growth? (see my articles: Why Looking for a Soulmate Will Disappoint You and Developing a Growth Mindset).

Get Help in Therapy

If you have been unable to work through unresolved problems on your own, you could benefit from working with a licensed mental health professional.

A skilled psychotherapist can help you to develop the skills and tools you need.

Rather than struggling on your own, seek help from an experienced therapist so you can lead a more fulfilling life.

About Me

I am a licensed New York psychotherapist, hypnotherapist, EMDR, AEDP, EFT (for couples), Somatic Experiencing and Certified Sex Therapist.

I work with individual adults and couples.

To find out more about me, visit my website: Josephine Ferraro, LCSW - NYC Psychotherapist.

To set up a consultation, call me at (917) 742-2624 during business hours or email me.

Relationship Choices: What is a "Good Bad Boy"?

Men are often confused about what women want from them and so are some women.

The "Good Bad Boy"

Many men believe women prefer men with "bad boy" traits, but in reality the picture is more complex.

Characteristics Usually Associated With So-Called "Nice Guys" and "Bad Boys"

The concepts of "nice guys" and "bad boys" are stereotypes.

There isn't anyone who is either all good or all bad, but these are common stereotypes. 

In reality, people are more complex, but these stereotypes persist in the dating and relationship world.

Once again, keep in mind that these are stereotypes or archetypes and each person is an individual.

Traits of So-Called "Nice Guys"

Good Traits:

• Kind
• Considerate
• Empathetic and emotionally attuned
• Reliable
• Good listener

    Negative Traits:

• Overly passive
• Lack of assertiveness and lack of boundaries
• Lacking self confidence
• Passive aggressive
• Emotionally suppressed or masking
• Potentially resentful if their feelings aren't reciprocated by a romantic interest

Traits of So-Called "Bad Boys"

Good Traits

• Project a sense of confidence and independence (although not always genuine)
• Excitement and adventure
• Rebellious nature
• Charismatic
  
• Authentic (in terms of not trying to people please)
• Assertive
• Passionate

Negative Traits

• Impulsive
• Unstable emotionally or financially
• Narcissistic
  
• Emotionally unavailable
• Manipulative
  
• Dishonest
• Womanizing
  
• Irresponsible
• Selfish and entitled (see my article: The Dark Triad Personality)
• Unhealthy communication including criticism, contempt, defensiveness and stonewalling (see my article: Avoiding the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse)

What is the Appeal of the "Nice Guy"?

The appeal of the "nice guy" for many women is that he has many of traits that women want in a man for a relationship.  He is believed to be someone who will be emotionally supportive and dependable. He is someone a woman can count on through thick and thin.  

The "Good Bad Boy"

However, some women who believe in this stereotype think the "nice guy" lacks confidence  in himself and he isn't assertive. 

In addition, if a man is overly compliant to gain approval and validation, this is often described as "The Nice Guy Syndrome" because their sense of self worth is tied to how others perceive them. There is a lack of authenticity that many women can sense which turns them off.

If a man is trying too hard to be "nice", he can come across as dull.

What is the Appeal of the "Bad Boy"?

Many women are attracted to "bad boys" for hookups because they seem fun and exciting--at least at first. 

He is often attractive and women like that he is passionate, unpredictable and an individual who doesn't try to follow traditional norms (see my article: What Makes So-Called  "Bad Boys" Appealing to Many Women?).

But if a man is trying too hard to be a "bad boy" because he thinks this is how he "should be", he will come across as lacking authenticity.

If a woman gets into a relationship with a "bad boy" traits, she will often discover these traits which make it difficult to maintain a stable relationship. And, worse still, if she thinks she can change him, she will probably be disappointed.

The "Good Bad Boy" Combines the Best Traits of the "Nice Guy" and the "Bad Boy"

As previously mentioned, the "Nice Guy" and the "Bad Boy" are stereotypes so they don't usually exist as pure types, but someone might have a particular tendency towards one or the other so that this could be a "red flag" for dating or a committed relationship.

Combining the best traits of the "Nice Guy" and "Bad Boy" would include edginess, some mystery and passion with a strong moral compass, a capacity for good, hidden heroism and "a heart of gold".

These men, who have the best of both traits, are often referred to as "Good Bad Boys".

Movie characters who have "Good Bad Boy" traits include:

• Bruce Wayne (Batman)
• James Bond (Agent 007)
• Hans Solo (Star Wars)
• Damon Salvatore (The Vampire Diaries)
• Lestat de Lioncourt (Interview With the Vampire)
• Jim Stark (Rebel Without a Cause)
• Luke Jackson (Cool Hand Luke)
• Rick Blaine (Rick in Casablanca)

An Example of the "Good Bad Boy" 

As an example, Rick of Casablanca initially comes across as aloof, cynical and self centered. Seemily, he doesn't want to get involved in other people's problems in Casablanca.

But he also shows himself to be a kind hero (or a "good bad boy") when he helps a couple by sacrificing his own happiness for the greater good.

Relationship Choices

Each woman makes her own choice as to what type of man she wants to be with in a casual or committed relationship (see my article: Making Healthy Choices in Relationships).

Sometimes a woman makes an unconscious choice and she only realizes later after she gets to know the man and she understands the dynamics between them.

This is why it's important for everyone choosing a mate to be aware of their choices (see my article: Making the Unconscious Conscious).

About Me

I am a licensed New York psychotherapist, hypnotherapist, EMDR, AEDP, EFT (for couples), Somatic Experiencing and Sex Therapist.

I have over 20 years of experiencing helping individual adults and couples.

To find out more about me, visit my website: Josephine Ferraro, LCSW - NYC Psychotherapist.

To set up a consultation, call me at (917) 742-2624 during business hours or email me.

Relationships: The Advantages of Developing a Relationship From Friends to Lovers

According to a study in the Social Psychology and Personality Science journal, relationships are more likely to develop when people are friends before they become lovers (see my article: Falling in Love With Your Best Friend).

Relationships: From Friends to Lovers

Prior to this study, research focused on relationships that developed due to an attraction between strangers. 

According to the researchers of this study, 68% of romantic relationships develop between friends.  The data was based on seven separate studies with 1,897 participants.

How to Start a Romance

The research (Stimson et al 2021) ranked how to start a romance from the best to the worst ways (1 being the best and 11 being the worst):

1. A friendship that turns romantic
2. Through mutual friends
3. At school or university
4. At a social gathering or a party
5. At a church or place or worship
6. At work
7. Through a family connection
8. At a bar or social connection
9. Online community or social media
10. Online dating service
11. A blind date

Why Are the Advantages to Being Friends First?

Being friends first provides an opportunity to build a strong foundation of trust and understanding as well as:

• Exploring compatibility

• Exploring shared interests

• Reducing the pressure of the initial dating stage

• Developing a comfort and ease with each other

Relationships: From Friends to Lovers

• Being able to see each other's true personalities without the pressure of dating

• Assessing trustworthiness and loyalty

• Providing an opportunity for a deeper connection rather than basing a connection only on a superficial physical attraction

• Providing a better opportunity to explore each other's personalities, habits, values and communication styles which can lead to a more satisfying and potentially longer lasting relationship

• Developing emotional support

• Providing an opportunity for fun and laughter without the pressure of dating (see my article: The Power of Humor and Laughter in a Relationship)

How Long Should You Be Friends With Someone Before Dating?

The length of time will vary depending upon the two people involved.

What is essential is establishing a strong foundation of trust, understanding and emotional connection.  

How Can You Tell If a Friendship is Transitioning to a Romance?

Typical signs include:

• Increased emotional intimacy
• Flirtation and chemistry between you
• Spending more time together
• Physical affection
• Discussing future plans together

What Are the Potential Pitfalls of Transitioning From Friendship to Romance?

Potential pitfalls include:

• Fear of losing the friendship if the romance doesn't work out
• Changing expectations
• Navigating new boundaries
• Dealing with unresolved problems from prior relationships

Conclusion

Developing a friendship first provides an opportunity to get to know each other better before starting a relationship.

Relationships: From Friends From Lovers

Although there are potential pitfalls, friendship first allows you both to explore each other's trustworthiness, loyalty, values, communication styles as well as a chance to develop a deeper connection that goes beyond a superficial physical attraction.

About Me

I am a licensed New York psychotherapist, hypnotherapist, EMDR, AEDP, EFT (for couples), Somatic Experiencing and Sex Therapist.

I have over 20 years of experiencing helping individual adults and couples.

To find out more about me, visit my website: Josephine Ferraro, LCSW - NYC Psychotherapist.

To set up a consultation, call me at (917) 742-2624 during business hours or email me.

Floodlighting: How to Stop Oversharing During the Early Stage of Dating

The term "floodlighting" was originally coined by Dr. Brene Brown, social scientist and researcher.

With regard to dating, floodlighting refers to someone who overwhelms their date with too much emotional vulnerability early on as a way to either speed up the emotional connection, test them or try to get validation and reassurance by revealing very personal or traumatic details about their life (Understanding Personal Boundaries: Rigid, Porous and Healthy Boundaries).

Floodlighting: Oversharing on a Date

Although the objective of floodlighting might be to develop immediate emotional intimacy, the result is usually just the opposite: The other person is overwhelmed and turned off (see my article: Dating Challenges: What Should You Talk About on a First Date?).

Characteristics of Floodlighting

Here are some of the characteristics of floodlighting:

• You Overshare Very Personal Information or Traumatic Events Immediately: During the early stage of dating, you share very personal information about yourself. This might involve early trauma, like domestic violence in your childhood home, how devastated you were by your parents' divorce, details about past breakups, your mental health problems, and so on. You're hoping that by sharing your very personal experiences, your date will also share similar information so you can form a close personal bond immediately. But when you stop telling your stories, you probably notice that your date's eyes are glazed over and they look completely overwhelmed, confused or bored, which makes you feel ashamed. 

Floodlighting: Oversharing on a Date

• You Expect Instant Emotional Intimacy: After you share very personal stories or traumatic events from your life, if you expect your date to do the same, you might be disappointed. If your date feels overwhelmed with your oversharing, they might respond with silence, confusion, annoyance or indifference, which isn't what you were hoping for from them.  You might not realize that emotional intimacy develops over time--not during the early stage of dating. The other person might feel pressured to share intimate details about their life too--before they're ready to do this. Even if your date reciprocates by sharing intimate details about their personal life after hearing you overshare, you might think you have developed immediate emotional intimacy, but you and your date haven't established a foundation of trust, which is necessary for real emotional intimacy. 

• You Overshare Very Personal Information to Test Your Date's Acceptance: If you use emotional vulnerability as a way to test if your date accepts you, you might create pressure on your date. Instead of creating a genuine emotional connection, you come across as needing reassurance from someone who hardly knows you. In the early stage of dating, this can be a turn-off for your date, who might resent being tested in this way.

Clinical Vignette

The following clinical vignette, which is a composite of many cases to protect confidentiality, illustrates the problem with floodlighting while dating and how psychotherapy can help:

Rena

Rena began dating two years after her tumultuous divorce. 

She met many single men who were interested in her, but things seemed to go nowhere after the first date.

After several disappointing experiences, Rena sought help in therapy to understand why these dates fizzled out so quickly.

Floodlighting: Oversharing on a Date

After hearing about several disappointing experiences, Rena's therapist noticed a pattern: Rena would talk about how awful her ex-husband had behaved towards her. She would go into details about how traumatic it was to be married to him. She also recounted several early traumatic childhood experiences on those first dates.

Her therapist realized that, due to Rena's early traumatic history, Rena never learned to develop appropriate personal boundaries. As a result, she didn't know how to keep things light on a first date.

Her therapist worked with Rena to develop the necessary skills to be more self aware during these initial dates. 

As a trauma therapist, she also helped Rena to work through her trauma so she no longer felt the need to seek reassurance and validation from people she hardly knew (see my article: What is a Trauma Therapist?).

Over time, Rena learned how to be self aware. She also learned how to have casual conversations, pick up on social cues from others and, eventually, develop a foundation of trust with a man she was dating for several months.

How to Stop Floodlighting

• Develop curiosity and self awareness so you can ask yourself why you're oversharing during the early stage of dating (see my article: What is Self Reflective Awareness and Why Is It Important For You?).

• Pick up on social cues from your date to recognize if you're oversharing and when it's time for you to shift the conversation to keep it light.

Develop Self Awareness and Pick Up on Social Cues

• If you feel the inclination to overshare, ask yourself what you're expecting in return: Are you looking for acceptance and reassurance from someone you hardly know?

• Ask yourself if you're creating an unbalanced dynamic between you and your date. If so, be aware of the verbal and nonverbal cues you're getting from your date about this dynamic and stop oversharing.

• Recognize if you're trying to develop emotional intimacy too early. What you might be creating, instead, is a false sense of intimacy.

• Wait to share very personal details of your life, including trauma, until you and your date have established a foundation of trust between you.

• Find ways to validate and reassure yourself so you're not looking for validation and reassurance from your date during the early stage of dating.

Getting Help in Therapy

Many people who have experienced trauma in early childhood overshare very personal details about their life n a way that reveals their boundaries were violated at a young age. 

They don't have a sense of healthy boundaries because they never helped to develop boundaries in their family (see my article: How to Set Boundaries Without Feeling Guilty).

Getting Help in Therapy

If you have a tendency to overshare during the early stage of dating, you could benefit from working with a licensed mental health professional.

A skilled therapist can help you to understand the underlying issues that cause you to overshare.  She can also help you to develop the tools and strategies to communicate in a healthy way.

In addition, an experienced psychotherapist can help you to develop the confidence and interpersonal skills you need to maintain appropriate boundaries.

Rather than struggling on your own, seek help from a skilled therapist so you can lead a more fulfilling life.

About Me

I am a licensed New York psychotherapist, hypnotherapist, EMDR, AEDP, EFT (for couples), Somatic Experiencing, Parts Work and Sex Therapist.

I have over 20 years of experience as a trauma therapist helping individual adults and couples.

To find out more about me, visit my website: Josephine Ferraro, LCSW - NYC Psychotherapist.

To set up a consultation,call me at (917) 742-2624 during business hours or email me.

What Are Transactional Relationships?

I've written many prior articles about relationships. I've included a list of a few of them at the bottom of this post.  You can also go to my website to find more under the headings of "Relationships" and "EFT Couples Therapy."

Transactional Relationships

In the current article I'm focusing on transactional relationships (see my article: Are You in a Transactional Relationship?).

What Are Transactional Relationships?

Transactional relationships are relationships where each person does things for the other in anticipation of getting something back in return. 

Transactional relationships are usually conditional in the sense that one or both people have expectations of what they want to get in return based on what they are willing to give. Usually if one or both people aren't getting what they want, the relationship ends.

Transactional relationships are based on reciprocity: An expected give-and-take between partners in the relationship. 

In transactional relationships, individuals prioritize what they can get from their partner, including financial support, social status, sex or other personal needs, over genuine emotional connection.  In that sense, these relationships are often superficial and lacking in emotional depth.

What Are Examples of Transactional Relationships?

The following are some examples of highly transactional relationships:

• Marriages of Convenience: These relationships focus on things like a visa, social status, and financial gain rather than love and genuine emotional connection. 

• Transactional Dating: These are dating relationships where one or both people have an expectation of what they will get in the relationship. An example of this would be that a heterosexual man buys a woman dinner and expects sex in exchange or vice versa. There is little to no emotional connection or commitment.

• Friends With Benefits: Most of these relationships focus on the convenience of sex between the partners with little or no expectation of commitment or emotional intimacy (see my article:  What Are the Pros and Cons of Friends With Benefits?).

Transactional Relationships: Friends With Benefits

• Career-Oriented Relationships: These relationships focus primarily on how their partner(s) can help them advance their career rather than focusing on emotional connection.

Transactional Relationships: Sugar Relationships

• Sugar Relationships (also known as Sugar Dating): These relationships usually involve one person being financially successful and supporting another financially or providing other concrete benefits to another person, who is often younger and more attractive, in exchange for sex or companionship. These are often short-term relationships with little to no expectation of commitment or emotional connection.

What Are the Characteristics of Transactional Relationships?

The following are some of the common characteristics of transactional relationships:

• Expectations: Both partners usually understand the expectations involved. For instance, if one person is paying for dinner with the expectation of sex, the other person is usually aware of this and either goes along with it because this is what they want (or need) or they don't necessarily like it, but they go along with it for their own personal reasons--even when they might feel ambivalent about it (see my article: What is the "Good Enough" Relationship? No, It Doesn't Mean Settling).

• Goal Oriented: There is a goal-oriented mindset in these types of relationships. This can involve financial goals, companionship, sex and so on. There is often little to no emotional spontaneity in transactional relationships. This can leave one or both people feeling lonely in the relationship due to the lack of emotional connection (see my article: Feeling Lonely in a Relationship).

Transactional Relationships: Goal-Oriented Relationships

• Limited or No Emotional Depth: Emotional connection isn't usually the focus of transactional romantic relationships--although this doesn't mean there isn't any emotional connection. It just means it's not the primary focus because of the goal-oriented nature of the relationship (see my article: Vulnerability as a Pathway to Greater Emotional and Sexual Intimacy).

Transactional Relationships: Limited Commitment and Emotional Depth

• Difference in Power Dynamics: There is often a difference in power in these relationships where one person has more power including money, social status or other resources. However, it can be difficult to distinguish who has the power at any given time in certain relationships. For instance, in sugar relationships, even though the younger and more attractive person, who is providing sex or companionship, might appear to have less power, they might actually have more power in certain relationships. They are often the ones who dictate the terms based on their desirability. This is generally true in most transactional relationships. It's not always easy to say who really has the power at any given time especially in transactional relationships and power  dynamics might change (see my article: Are You Giving Away Your Power to Someone Who Doesn't Treat You Well?).

How Can Couples Therapy Help?

If you and your partner are on the same wavelength in a transactional relationship, you might be satisfied, at least for now, with your relationship. 

But if you're not happy with the relationship dynamics and you are either trying to understand the complex dynamic or you want to change the dynamics, you could benefit from seeking help in couples therapy (see my article: What is Emotionally Focused Therapy For Couples (EFT)?).

A skilled couples therapist can help you both to understand the dynamics in your relationship and, if both partners agree, try to make changes so you're both happier.

If there's no possibility of change, an experienced couples therapist can help you to end the relationship with integrity and compassion.

Getting Help in Couples Therapy

If you have been struggling in your relationship, you could benefit from seeking help from a licensed mental health professional who has the expertise to help you with your problem (see my article: What Happens in Couples Therapy?)

Getting Help in Couples Therapy

Rather than struggling on your own, seek help so you can live a more fulfilling life.

About Me

I am a licensed New York psychotherapist, hypnotherapist, EMDR, AEDP, EFT (for couples), Somatic Experiencing and Sex Therapist.

I have over 20 years of experience helping individual adults and couples.

To find out more about me, visit my website: Josephine Ferraro, LCSW - NYC Psychotherapist.

To set up a consultation, call me at (917) 742-2624 during business hours or email me.

Also See My Articles About Relationships

What If Your Partner Isn't Ready For Couples Therapy?

Dating vs Being in a Relationship

Dating For a Lasting Relationship: The Spark vs the Slow Burn

What Do You Need to Feel Closer to Your Partner?