15 Reasons Why We Love Hanging Out With The Guys

Having a solid group of female friends is something every girl needs in her life. As we get older it becomes harder to keep in touch with all our friends like we used to, but that doesn't mean we should let all our friendships fade away. The best friendships are the ones that evolve along with us. While we all need friends who can relate to the things we go through on a daily basis like the annoyance of periods, trying to interpret the male ego, and learning how to balance a career and family life, it's nice to have friends who've had different experiences.

As women there are certain things about men we will never fully understand, and vice versa. That's why it can be fun to hang out with the opposite sex in a completely platonic way sometimes. Female friendships just aren't the same as a male-female friendship, and there are times when a little shift in perspective is necessary. Here are 15 reasons women love hanging out with the guys from time to time.

15 They're laid back

When you're hanging out with your friends, you want to relax. Everyone has enough stress in their lives with their jobs, family issues, and day-to-day responsibilities, they don't need their friends to add to it. Most guys don't let petty disagreements and imagined insults get in the way of just kicking back and relaxing with their friends. If a friendship is causing them stress, they simply don't hang out with that person anymore. Female friendships tend to have more ups and downs, while guys often stay on a more even keel.

14 They don't care if your purse is a knock-off

If you're hanging out with a bunch of guy's guys there's no way they're going to notice whether you're wearing authentic designer labels or not. They're more about comfort and functionality than the prestige of a brand name. While it's great to have some friends who will gush over the great deal you just got on a Louis Vuitton wallet, it's also kind of nice to be able to wear your Old Navy sweatpants all day without wondering whether anyone thinks you look like a slob.

13 They love their food

Craving a big juicy burger, or feel like eating an entire pizza in one sitting? Guys go big with their food choices, and you'll never catch them eating a salad or stressing over how many carbs they've had that day. Obviously women are just as capable of eating everything in sight as guys are, but there's usually a different reason behind it. Guys will eat because they want to eat, while women usually indulge when they think they deserve a treat, or they're feeling emotional and want to make themselves feel better.

12 They have a dirty sense of humor

Generally, the kinds of things guys joke about err on the side of vulgar and somewhat offensive. Guys like practical jokes, teasing each other mercilessly, and inside jokes that can stand the test of time. Women are more concerned with not hurting anyone's feelings, and as a result will think twice before saying certain things. Guys can definitely go too far sometimes with their dirty jokes, but if you know them well enough, it's still hard not to laugh at their latest fart joke.

11 They can give advice from a guy's perspective

You can analyze what your crush's latest text really meant with your girlfriends all day and still never come to the same conclusion that another guy will in mere seconds. A guy also isn't going to sugar coat the truth. If he thinks your crush isn't interested in you, he'll say it. He'll tell you if you're being too high maintenance, or acting crazy. He's also not going to let you spend hours obsessing over another guy's behavior because he'll remind you that there are decent guys out there (like him), and you don't have to settle for less.

10 They can take a joke

There are things you can say and joke about with your guy friends that you can't with your female friends, and vice versa. Guys don't take little jokes personally the same way women do sometimes. Even if it's a joke at their expense, most guys will still laugh right along with everyone else. They won't hold a grudge, and they can probably dish it out just as readily as they can take it. With female friends, you probably have to know each other pretty well before you can get away with teasing in the way that guys are capable of almost immediately.

9 They're loyal

Ever notice how some guys would do almost anything for their friends? They love their bro time, and often have friendships that last decades. Not that women aren't capable of the same, but a lot of men consider their best friends the same as family. The same will go for their friends who are women. Once you're in the circle of a tight group of guys, they'd do anything for you if you asked. That feeling of being protected and loved is a different feeling from your friendships with women. It's not necessarily better, it's just different.

8 Trash talk is not only tolerated, but expected

Women don't generally trash talk each other, at least not on a regular basis. Men, on the other hand, are quick to make jokes at each other's expense. They just have a stronger sense of competition, even when it's good natured. A lot of the time it's related to some sort of sport's team rivalry, which is something a lot of guys find easy to bond over. If you're a girl who's competitive it can be nice to hang around a bunch of guys who will challenge you and your opinions. Trash talk keeps you on your toes, because you never know when you'll need the perfect comeback.

7 They have different stories to tell

Men and women have different experiences throughout life, and it's inevitable that guys are going to have stories from growing up, being a teenager, and college that you and your female friends could never imagine. You may be able to relate to the stories of your female friends, but the ridiculous things most guys have done or tried to do are guaranteed to make you laugh until you cry, and we all need that sometimes.

6 There's no drama

Women have a tendency to be dramatic sometimes. Things get blown out of proportion, feelings get hurt, and emotions run wild during fights between women. Men, on the other hand, are generally less emotional, or at least less willing to talk about their feelings. Since men are more laid back, and more used to joking around with each other, they don't let little things bother them. There is obviously potential for drama in any friendship, no matter what gender you are, but in general male friendships are less emotional.

5 Chances are good you'll meet a guy you like

Guys are friends with other guys, it's just a fact. That means, even if you have a group of guys you have strictly platonic feelings for, odds are you'll meet another guy through them that you might find attractive. Since you're already part of the group, it's then a lot easier to get an introduction and get to know this new guy in a completely non-intimidating, no-pressure situation like a group hang out. Your guy friends might even be able to put in a good word for you if you bribe them with a pizza.

4 You start to understand men better

A lot of men like to think they're uncomplicated, but the truth is, the opposite sex is always at least a little confusing. Men and women see things differently, and therefore their experiences and reactions to those experiences aren't going to be the same. Hanging out with guys on a regular basis can help you understand their perspectives. Every individual person is different, but at least, if you spend some time with men, you'll become more comfortable around them in general.

3 They'll never be any competition for a guy you like's attention

If you're a straight woman hanging around straight guys, you're guaranteed to never have your eye on the same person. Your guy friends can even help you out with an introduction, or strike up a friendship with the guy you like in order to give you an in. If a guy sees that you have male friends, he'll know you're the type of girl that can hang out with the guys and you're probably not high maintenance. Sometimes starting out a relationship as a friendship is a great way to get to know someone, and if you're already friends with a lot of guys, you have a great chance of turning that into more with someone.

2 Sometimes you'd rather watch sports than go shopping

Plenty of women like watching sports, but it's rare to see a huge group of girls crowding around the TV with a football game on and a case of beer in the fridge. Even if you love to shop, some days you might want to just sit in front of the TV, eat pizza, and complain about every bad play. If it's not sports, it's video games, or a horror movie marathon. There are just some activities that your guy friends are always going to be up for, and it's nice to know you don't have to plan anything too far in advance to make it happen.

1 You can be yourself without shame

Women have been trained to always be the perfect lady, avoiding acknowledgement of bodily functions for the most part. Of course there is a time and a place to allow yourself to fart and burp without discretion, and manners are important. But if you're with a group of guy friends casually hanging out, they aren't going to hold back, so that means you probably don't have to either. At the very least, it means if a little one slips out you don't have to be mortified. You can all just laugh and move on.