Are relationships worth the trouble?

Last Saturday, while at work, I met a phenomenal woman.  After conversing for roughly thirty minutes, I knew this woman had substance, intelligence, and other qualities I look for in an individual.  A considerable amount of time (years) has passed since I have made any type of real friendship with someone from the opposite sex.  Granted, finding women of substance and real depth is difficult, but I find cultivating and maintaining a friendship with one incredibly challenging.  I believe the reason for this is the tremendous influence society has on men and women as they move about differing social circles.  This influence may be what society considers proper gender roles, who the new "liberated" woman looks like, the false idea men only want "one thing," and so much more.  Sometimes people say exactly what they mean without anything hidden "between the lines" to be read.  In short, if a man says he only wants a friendship with a woman, why not take him at face value?  Why must there be a subconscious thought on whether his real motive is to "get in her pants?"  Unfortunately there are so many pretenses to wade through before we, as a man or woman, finally see things as the way they are and begin to trust one another.  For the sake of emotional and mental health, let us drop our guards and truly begin to get back to basics in regard to relationships.  Then maybe people like me wouldn't become so jaded and cynical about the opposite sex.  There are great guys, like myself, out there who aren't, believe it or not, looking for their next "lay" every time they meet a woman.  Give us a try.