Generally it depends on the friend or lover and what they prefer, as well as what's comfortable for you - and that is true whether the cuddling is friendly or romantic. Just pay attention to each other.
Don't Cuddle
I mean, if you two have an agreement that cuddling is on the table, then snuggle up. Otherwise, try to refrain. Cuddling encourages intimacy, which is a no-no with your FWB. You want to keep things simple, and spooning can complicate them.
Absolutely. Platonic cuddling is a type of close contact between two adults where no romance or sexual activities take place. You can involve lower bodies if you want or just hug each other with the help of the upper body.
Keep things strictly platonic outside the bedroom.
Don't hold hands, don't kiss, don't cuddle together, don't call each other cutesy pet names. It doesn't mean you have to be completely distant and unemotional—it just means you don't do anything with your FWB that you wouldn't do with your friends without benefits.
If you are in a friends with benefits situation, do not act like a couple! This might be the golden rule of successful FWB relationships. Don't hold hands.
Rule #1: Be Honest
Both people need to understand that they are entering an FWB setup. It should be clear from the start that the relationship is about scratching that sexual itch and nothing else. Neither party should expect the exclusivity nor intimacy that comes with a full-blown romantic relationship.
The idea that guys catch feelings in an FWB establishment is quite foreign to many. But this is not true. Anyone in an FWB relationship can develop an emotional attachment to the guy or girl they sleep with. This includes guys too.
They Want to Know All About You
If your FWB is asking you all about yourself, it might be a sign that they want to form an emotional attachment. It's also a sign if they share these personal details about themselves, such as stories from their childhood or past relationships.
Some may talk every day, but others might only talk when hooking up. As a general rule, maintain emotional distance from your friend with benefits. Talking often can increase intimacy, which may compromise the relationship.
Once a Week, Or Less" because they figure that a friends-with-benefits is not a serious commitment sex partner, and that they want to enjoy the benefits, but still keep a proper emotional distance. These are ALL REASONABLE INTERPRETATIONS.
Cuddling, like all touch, can be a form of intimacy. “Cuddling is an excellent way to express physical intimacy and affection in a relationship,” says St. John. “It can help create a sense of closeness and security and can be a very intimate experience.”
Platonic cuddling is any form of physical contact that doesn't cross the line into romance or sex. It may be a way of connecting with someone in a more intimate way without entering into a romantic relationship.
Cuddling is typically a sign that a person is interested or has affection towards you, but it doesn't necessarily translate into love. Regarding how they feel about cuddling, some people believe may see it as incredibly intimate, while others enjoy cuddling even in platonic friendships.
According to some studies on FWB dynamics, roughly 1 in 5 men will become seriously attached and emotionally invested in their FWB partner. Interestingly enough, these odds don't change all that much for other genders. All things considered, most guys are comfortable keeping an FWB arrangement casual.
It can simply be an expression of the care that you have for each other, and it can take any form that is consensual and desired by each person. Opening up your friendship to include more hugs, hand-holding, kisses, cuddling, and more can bring in a level of connection and vulnerability that is completely new.
FWB relationships might have an expiration date, but it has nothing to do with time. Some people need to end it after a few months, but sometimes they can last for years. It's all about how you're feeling. And when it doesn't feel right — that's when you know it's gone on for too long.
Friends with benefits are all about lust, not romance. There is no rule to kiss you goodnight because you are not really dating. So chances are it is just spontaneous making out and grabbing here and there just because the feels are there.
Common...but Potentially Risky
However, studies suggest that something around half of college students report having been in one at some point.... though more men report this than women. While this type of relationship may seem appealing to some, there are risks involved.
According to Match.com's Singles in America site, out of the 55% of singles who have had a friends-with-benefits relationship, 45% of them have had it evolved into a full-fledged relationship.
If they get to know you on a deeper level.
If they make an effort to get to know you on a deeper level by asking really personal questions, it's a good sign that they really do want something more than just a hookup. They're trying to get to know you as a person and find some common interests.
So do guys get attached after cuddling? They might. But even if they do, they're unlikely to show it if you play too hard to get. This is why guys distance themselves after intimacy.
"Physical intimacy creates an emotional bond that is fundamentally different from purely platonic friendships, so developing feelings is normal," explains Klapow. So, if you suddenly discover feelings of jealousy when your FWB talks about other people they're dating, there's nothing wrong with you.
Red Flags to Watch Out For in an FWB Situation
When picking the perfect friend with benefits, avoid people who seem to have an anxious attachment style. "If you feel like they like you a lot more than you like them, that's a big red flag," Lovz said.