Just to play
devils advocate on this one, I received this time-honored phrase many many times from the
woman who is now my
partner of five years. We now have two children, a house and a excellent
relationship.
Her explanation for using that phrase was that she'd recently come out of other bad relationships, and she genuinely did not want to go into another and have it spoiled. Yes, she actually meant it when she said things like, "I value our friendship too much"!!
Not to say that this is what is going through all women's minds, but perhaps, just maybe, it might be worth persevering. Sometimes. I did, and I'm glad I did.