can you be friends with the opposite gender?

[kenybanez]

anyways I wanted to know since alot of the non quran alone muslims will say that it is Haram and also they would say it is haram to have physical contact with them. Now I wonder do you think that it is all haram to shake hands with the opposite gender or hug them? since I myself have alot of friends from the opposite gender and I huged them from time to time so I was wondering wether it is haram. And also if you think or not so, can you provide a quote. THANKS