Time is precious

What we find attractive in a potential partner we may not find attractive as a potential friend.

scatmandingo got it in one.

That's fair. It's important to realize though how much it would suck for anyone, male or female, to think they made a friend or met someone who shares their interests, and then be completely ghosted when that person realizes you don't see them in a romantic/sexual way. At least communicate before you drop people

Also fair.

I have female friends. I know some women I would like to date. There is very little overlap, and playing in that overlap zone has only led to pain and resentment. Best to approach friends as such, and potential partners as such.

I think both statements are valid. I think it comes down to self awareness. All relationships, friendship or otherwise, should be based on honesty and trust. If you know you can’t commit to being just friends, then the right thing to do is be honest about that. Ideally, we wouldn’t write off a human being that we were interested in seconds ago but now want nothing to do with- but being our “ideal” person takes growth and is an abstract we never actually achieve. Usually- no one wins if you say you can fly a plane and you can’t. You might WANT to be able to, but if you aren’t there- the best thing to do is be honest- and sometimes, people are willing to say “let’s find out.” If they have informed consent that is a different thing than saying you can when you don’t know, or know for a fact you cannot.