It is definitely possible, but on the man side of things there is careful planning and willpower involved. The easiest way to pick female friends is to find those who have that one tragic flaw that constantly reminds you of why they're still single. One of my friends is an overly religious virgin (verified by her girl friends), and the other is a man eater. They are both good looking women...the man eater is particularly stunning, but the things that come out of her mouth are raw. In other words she doesn't need to physically harm you, she'll make you feel emotionally guilty and intellectually dim; an elitist is a good word for her. The religious one is saving it for marriage, but is jaded as far as men go; an interesting paradox. She gets a lot of attention because she has a large booty and vitually no waist; the kind of girl who has to get her jeans tailored.
Initially I was attracted to them, but after you hear them talk awhile, that attraction eventually fades and you turn off the charm. But the interesting thing is I have better conversations with them than with most women. I've never slept with either of them and I never will.