Re:
In the short-run, if well-delivered (as David D said, it's not what you say, but how you say it that matters) it CAN work.
In the long-run, it's garbage. I've known people to chuck it out there just to keep any awkwardness down. Or to explain away weird situations.
If you do this with girls who have little to no interest in you, she might feel a little put off, and scramble to see what's up. However, you don't have to do any of it, just don't say anything girls. Girls go MORE nuts over lack of communication than being told something.
Why?
Because if you tell her something, it's always ammunition she can use on you. And when she calls you to the carpet, you better be DonJuanSmooth, or you'll like a true blooded AFC having used a 'trick.'
If you just LOOSE communication, the doors is always open. And you can do the "hey, wanted to see what was up phone call." Or if several months goes by, and you reconnect, and you've improved in some fashion, then the door is open.
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case in point...
I was dating a Hooters girl who was not your traditional Hooters girl. I say that at least personally, she had her *ish* together, but she was just there to make some dough while in between jobs. The first time around we didn't connect. I felt she wasn't my type so I didn't know to relate to her, and everytime we met up she was sick, smoking pot, giving cash to her gay friend, working, or complaining about family. I tried a little to see what was up, and then just lost interest because it wasn't too fun to have her around, or be around her. It was good going to Hooters knowing all the girls, and knowing who's a hoe, but aside from that -boring-.
Months go by and I find out the woman who I chat up at lunch is also her mom. A day the girl came to pick her up I find this out, and her mom's ecstatic, because apparently Hooter Girl had mentioned me. Her mom found it nuts she stopped seeing me and even Hooter Girl regretted. So we tried again.
It was nice to know the door was open, but because of the first dating experience and because I enjoyed being single, I didn't want to go back to someone I wasn't "excited" over.
I say this because nobody uttered "friend" to each other, so when the door is open, I seize the moment. That's how I've kept so many girls as FWB's so long, by just fading away for months. And if you're a guy who PROGRESSES and not DIGRESSES, when she remembers you, she will be even more impressed with you, to which you gain the edge.
To me, IME, uttering friend works with an X, because your blood boils. it works with people who care. With people who don't care, they're relieved they don't NEED an OUT to quell the relationship. That way when either of you call, you're clear. When there's uncertainty, there's awkwardness, particularly on the part of the person who has LESS interest.
A-Unit
I have been there and i have done all of it, i know for a fact that what i am saying is true.
