I'm going to start by saying the term "friendzone" is flawed, I've been on both sides of "friendzoning" when I didn't technically consider them a friend to begin with or vice versa. Just saying "But I like just being your friend" is a cheap way of getting out of saying "You're not romantically attractive to me".
Being direct is hard for both parties but it's the easiest way to solve all the problems and you don't look like a bad guy for leading them on.
That being said, most guys who get cranky because they have been "friendzoned" and that because they are a 'nice guy' to that girl and it never gets them anyway are only hanging around because they think being nice will get them laid. Straight up, if you're a good guy you're not going to be about a girl simply to get in her pants.
I don't like the friendzone, for some including some of my past experiences, it IS bottomless pit, and no, you can't climb out.
But, i do beleive starting at the friendzone is essential to a relationship, because for you to really know the person you want to be romantically involved with, and also stay comfortable around them at all times, it is good to start as friends.
You are so very very wrong my friend. You may have experienced this happening but I can assure you, it's like 1 in a million shot of that working out well.
The friendzone is not inescapable. You're just courting that person all wrong, because all girls are different there isn't one sure fire way to get into their pants and as soon as you adjust your strategy the results are immediate, and I mean like instantaneous.
About starting in the friendzone, you might as well quite right then and there. The best most fulfilling relationships are always the ones where both parties have an instant connection and one episode of just you and them is enough to make both unable to tear their minds away from each other.
When you start dating someone is when you get to know someone, you can break the ice once and it's done. If you start with a friend, you have to work hard to keep them romantically interested when they weren't initially and it becomes a real struggle. Plus that transitional phase between just friends to dating is always uncomfortable for everyone up to the waitress serving you drinks no matter how you swing it.
For real though if anyone in this thread wants some Holy Grail advice for getting out of the friendzone it's right here:
Ask the person who is holding you hostage in the friendzone to wingman you
Either they realise they're jealous and it turns around, or you get introduced to some potential partners you can't lose.