Can men and women be friends?

Yes, but usually not with the same form of friendship that men have with one another (or women with women). That sort of reciprocity rarely exists. Women expect men to take the initiative in the relationship - I know of only one, maybe two women who would call or e-mail first, either to chat or to arrange some sort of meeting. Are they acting against natural inclinations? Or do they have a more "masculine" mind, thinking in terms of justice and reciprocity? Women do not have a problem taking the initative to cultivate a friendship with other women, right? Apparently that male-female dynamic is just too strong for some women to think and behave beyond.