What is “emotional cheating”?

Question

Another user posted this question:  Is emotionally cheating the same, better or worse than physically cheating? I know similar questions recur frequently on G@G. My response to this user was intended to indicate one of the problems with the discussion. "What exactly," I asked, "is emotional cheating?" I suspect that this is one of those things like virginity: everybody “knows” what it is but, once the discussion starts, it is obvious that we don’t all agree about what it means. So. . . how do you define cheating?

princesssnowflake · Accepted Answer

I think emotional cheating is much worse than physical cheating. Sexual feelings are easy to get over. You want to bang someone, you do it, and you just move on. However, emotional cheating leads to bigger problems. The trust and intimacy that you are supposed to share with your partner, now is shared with someone outside of your relationship. Outsourcing intimacy that should be provided by your partner, is unjustified. If your relationship is somehow lacking, that’s something you should fix with your partner, not an outside person.

Wonderer89 · Accepted Answer

When someone who is in a relationship channels their time, energy and attention into creating an intimacy with someone else to the point their partner feels neglected.
To me, if it’s behaviour I wouldn’t feel comfortable doing in front of my husband then it shouldn’t be done.

ShortCircuit · Accepted Answer

In my opinion, the best definition that encompasses all types of cheating is something like "outsourcing a need that is supposed to be exclusively met by your partner".

So, "emotional" cheating would be outsourcing any need that isn't sexual, but still supposed to be exclusively met by your partner: such as exchanging 'ILY's, other words of affirmation, complimenting someone else's appearance, seeking comfort in times of stress, physical affection that exceeds a certain previously specified boundary, etc.

genericname85 · Accepted Answer

i honestly think "emotional cheating" is a bullshit term. because you will find other people attractive. maybe you will even get emotional desires. but not doing anything despite those desires is in my opinion what deines loyality. without "temptation" there wouldn't be "loyality".
loyality is the willfull act of not giving in to temptation which in my opinion is a noble thing and shouldn't be labeled "emotional cheating".

Ellie-V · Answer

To me, it’s when you receive intimate nourishment from someone else.
Everyone loves to pull out the word flirting.
But no.
Flirting is unnecessary.
I was involved in an emotional affair and I can say with confidence there was none of that going on.
We confided in one another because as we get to know each other we realized that we had the same mindset.
They weren’t able to talk to their significant other in the way they talked to me.
I got to know their true fears, hopes, and longings. It created a path for developing feelings to the point where they no longer wanted to hold on to their current relationship.
There was no “you look really good”
It was “I appreciate you, and you are enough”.
We met up and practiced yoga.
We shared each other’s art work.
When one was in pain, the other affirmed that it was okay to cry.
Emotional cheating is forming a solid bond with another.
No sex, no flirting, no weird or dirty text messages. Just nourishment.

DizzyDesii · Answer

i kinda only consider physical stuff cheating... so like if you're physically flirting or messaging or touching or telling someone you love/want them etc then thats cheating. But if you secretly like them, then you're technically not cheating if you dont act on it. When i think back on it, i never thought i cheated but i did kinda entertain people who were like “i’d be a better boyfriend for you.” Like i turned them down and told them to stop but i never really escaped the situation and kinda just blushed at their statements. So it makes me question now if i was cheating by not exiting the situation immediately

AlienParasite · Answer

I would understand by emotional cheating, caring and helping someone in a way you don't even care or help your partner. Always putting this person before your partner and neglecting your partners emotional needs for this person, in a way that it seems that you might be in love with this person.

For example, beign ill or depressed and your partner not going out to comfort you and take care of you. However immediately going to a friend's house when they he or she is ill or depressed.

Another example, trying to make plans together with your partner but your partner rejecting them many times because he or she already has plans, and most of them are with the same feiend, and they don't consider ok to cancel one or two plans with this friend to have some quality time with their partner.

Ripper_E · Answer

Your girlfriend likes another guy. Not simply finds him attractive, but she is drawn to him, wants to spend more time with him, she's really attracted to him, but she hasn't done anything with him. Of course you don't know anything about this. When you are in bed with her sleeping, she's thinking about him. When you are at work, she might think about you but he is also on her mind.

Even though nothing physical is happening, most guys would not be completely cool with their girl having feelings for another man, beyond just thinking he is attractive.

wittymilf · Answer

Emotional cheating is born from the notion that once you own a person you have full control over every part of them. They are your slave and you dictate how they feel, and who they feel for. If you do t force these rules on them they won’t love your insecure ass anymore 😊👍🏾

lightbulb27 · Answer

Share intimate details such as emotions, feelings, and give precidence with another such that it offends the security of your partner. I think it is relative to the other person because in relationship, the job is to protect the emotional relationship which means the security or insecurity of the other person. This sucks, but is reality.

you can wish for the other person to be "more secure" than they are, but that won't work.

pleasestopthis · Answer

Catching feelings for someone else, dedicate more time to this person, open up your heart and tell things that you may not even tell your partner. So in general is being emotionally connected to the other person.

CubsterShura · Answer

When I think of emotional cheating I immediately think of the plot of the Bengali novel called 'Chokher Bali' which translates to 'Sand in the eyes' in English, it's an idiom for 'Eyesore'. Also I'm talking about the book and NOT the movie because Bollywood entirely butchered it, like they also did with Devdas, another Bengali
literature classic.

A lot of regrets, unhappiness, resentment, and what not. You can look up the plot online. It's a bunch of complications among a married couple, the husband's adopted brother, and featuring mainly the widowed woman who lived with them and had something going on.

It's a beautiful novel.

Flower7 · Answer

Emotional cheating is becoming very close with someone outside of the relationship. Talking on the phone, texting a lot, getting to know each other really well and catching feelings. It might even go as far as falling in love with the other person.

Browneye57 · Answer

An emotional affair is the same as a sexual affair, but without the sex. Usually it is done via electronic communication, but sometimes it is done with an aquaintance or co-worker in person, where you don't actually become physically connected with them.

It's where you share your most intimate thoughts and feelings with someone other than your mate or spouse. Where you confide in someone other than your mate or spouse.
These emotional affairs can last a long or short time, and in many cases should they decide to actually meet up can turn into a sexual or physical affair.

For example, 1500 texts messages per month to someone other than your wife or husband. Gee, ya think? "Talking" morning noon and night.

LEADFOOTboi · Answer

emotional cheating is dividing your romantic attention/efforts/actions between... your main bitch and some other bitch... emotional cheating is basically the foundation for physical cheating... when you're in a relationship and are dating someone else... key words... in a RELATIONSHIP... relationship= two people consenting to like eachother more than they like other people... they show this in specific and nonspecific ways... sorry for the blanket statement

sdrawkcabosmi · Answer

Getting emotionally and romantically involved to someone other than the person to which you're committed.
Cheating is cheating, regardless of whether it's physical or emotional, it still hurts like hell.

Account · Answer

Falling for someone else while being in a committed relationship, yet choosing to do nothing about it? I am not sure if that can be considered cheating though. I think the best solution to that would be breaking up.

Likes2drive · Answer

It’s not really the same as physically cheating since it hasn’t reached the point of no return but it can cause a lot of trust issues just like the physical one but has a better chance of being fixed before it gets that far

GraveDoll · Answer

worst in my opinion  your sharing heart and soul with someone else. I would feel like I was just kicked in the face.

aicarg · Answer

When your heart and mind wanders, and begin to fantasize and develop romantic feelings for someone else when you're already in a committed relationship.

Anonymous · Answer

Emotional cheating is when your wife has a male friend that she will talk to, and when she is having problems with her husband he will listen. He will act like a emotional support friend with a hard on. Next thing they are meeting to talk about things, like at a restaurant. Next they are meeting at a motel room. Now the emotional support cheating friend becomes a physical fucking cheating friend. Then your wife becomes your ex-wife.

DiegoO · Answer

When you are emotionally investing in one person that is NOT your SO, and at the same time cutting down on your SO emotional needs.

DakotaNorth · Answer

Worse. It killed my relationship. I'd have been fine if she would have fucked him and got it over with. But the emotional thing was drawn out and blatant. I am now single.

bulletbob555 · Answer

I guess you could say there is cheating and then there is cheating. Cheating as its always been known is definitely the worse of the kinds. The emotional one which can put you in dangerous territory of straying. The first base of extra marital

Countrywildmangirl · Answer

Emotional cheating...
The best way I can describe is.. ur in contact with someone else weather it is phone call. , msging , email , video chat etc
But ur not in physical with them ( like u dont touch there body , or have sex with them even if they are near u )

SomeGuyCalledTom · Answer

It's how women build up to justifying *actual* cheating.

_gigi18 · Answer

Being sexually and emotionally attached to another person

MountAverage · Answer

Emotional cheating is when you develop feelings for someone else while you're in a committed relationship AND actively try to be close to that person instead of trying to keep your distance. Because developing feelings for someone itself isn't cheating, it just happens. But the second part is what turns it into cheating, because that's where you start betraying your partner.

miMichael · Answer

It's kinda the same, but emotional is a bit more destructive to the victim

Aravind6307 · Answer

Eating dinner with your wife, whist thinking about your personal secretary.

JamesRandiDebates · Answer

There's no such thing.

Ntwo0 · Answer

Can I talk to you please?

LexyIsSexy23 · Answer

Nothing a made up term

Silence00 · Answer

Hanging with another while missing another.

BronzedAdonis · Answer

It doesn’t exist

zapana · Answer

When you love someone else. Its the worst

What is “emotional cheating”?

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What is “emotional cheating”?

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