That sux bro, I bet your ass still hurts from that experience.

OK, thought I would pipe in on this one.  It is an issue we all deal with at some point.  The original question referred to certain menu limits being lifted.  Certainly I have become close to some clients, 2 of them dating off of the clock.  Of course once trust is established and one can relax other things can happen.  I did find that when I dated prior clients for our own social needs things did get complicated.  Although I developed huge affection, I still had my own personal goals.  One of my friends kept trying to clinch a deal by offering to pay for the things I was striving for.  Always trying to rescue me.  I did not need rescueing.  It was very frustrating.  Both of them kept requesting more and more time which was biting into my work and therefore goals.  And it was clear that they were becoming personally upset by my work, which ultimately forced me to stop seeing them.  Each of these relationships occurred seperately, but the same process seemed to happen.  The ticket stopped but not because of the contribution from them, but because it was slowing down my work, and I did not want to drag out someone else's feelings on something that I had no intentions of changing until I did the things I need to do for me.  I could have dropped my plans, moved in with either of them, been treated very nicely and joined his world, but then when it ended a few years down the line, then what?  Resentment towards that person?  Personal regrets for not finishing what I started for me?  Just doesn't pan out in the end.  Strong independant women have the same stresses, expectations from family and needs towards future as any of the gentlemen.  I prefer to come to the table with something to place on it when I decide to do that.  Back to the first question, yes, I have friends who I have seen repeatedly who I trust and we share alot more together than what happens with a one hour drive by!  And I LIKE it!