I see the term "friend zone" thrown around so much in daily life; it's everywhere. It's usually used when someone is talking about being rejected by someone they have feelings for, when the person they like tells them they'd rather just be friends. "Man, she just "friend-zoned' me. Not even cool, bro." I also see it used when someone is talking about ways to win over the affection of someone they have feelings for after being rejected once before. "What's your plan for getting out of his 'friend zone?'" The "friend zone" is this imaginary place people are boxed into when they're rejected by someone they are interested in. There are apparently two outcomes when you are "friend-zoned." One, you eventually get out of the "friend zone" when the person you like starts to have reciprocal feelings. Or two, you are stuck in the "friend zone" for the rest of your life, and apparently that is the worst place you can be. And then you have the people that think they are in the "friend zone" but actually haven't told the person they like how they feel...
Sorry to burst your bubble, but the so-called "friend zone" doesn't exist. You are not entitled to have the person you are interested in like you back. Despite the fact that you have feelings for them, they are not obligated to reciprocate those feelings; they owe you nothing. And as sucky as that may be, you kind of have to suck it up and deal with it. You can't make something happen that isn't going to happen; that's not how feelings work. That's force, and definitely not consent. And as much as it might hurt to find out that the person you are in love with, or have a strong attraction to, or are interested in deeply, doesn't feel the same way, they don't have to reciprocate any of it. If that's not how they feel, that's not how they feel. I'm not saying don't feel, and don't be sad or disappointed, but don't blame someone for not reciprocating your feelings; that's just ridiculous.
Recommended for you
There's this view that the "friend zone" is the worst position you can be in, that the person that apparently placed you there is evil and [insert derogatory term here], that the person is purposefully and maliciously depressing some deeply held feelings about you. If you think you are in the "friend zone," it's ironic, because you're not really being a good friend. Not everyone is going to be attracted you, including someone you are extremely attracted to. It sucks, but that's just how it works. And also, if you think someone is leading you on, that's an assumption, and you should stop yourself right there. Someone showing affection to you is not an open invitation to get something out of that person. They are not entitled to give you anything more than what they want to give you.
And that's why the concept of a "friend zone" is completely ridiculous.
