system
A chat on subreddit /r/NoStupidQuestions
human
They're not talking about seeing ONE person solely in a romantic way. They're talking about seeing EVERY member of the opposite sex like that
gpt
Nobody sees every member of the opposite sex as a potential partner. Some people do see every member of the opposite sex *that happens to be friendly and attractive* as a potential partner. And I struggle to see the issue with that

If you're friends with them, they're of the opposite sex, and you find them attractive, why would you shrug it off and say "I guess I'll just be friends with them!". Most people would (and should) pursue more