Is cuddling on the couch with a friend considered cheating?

Question

OlderAndWiser · Accepted Answer

There are three separate questions that should be asked. But first, this question assumes that you are in a relationship with someone other than the cuddle partner. Otherwise, there is no aspect of cheating to be considered.

First question: what is your intention in cuddling with the cuddle partner? Most opposite sex platonic friends do not cuddle so the answer to this question is not so obvious.

Second question: What will your cuddle partner think is your intention in cuddling with them? Will they see this as a relatively low-risk, testing-the-waters, getting closer to physical intimacy ploy, or will they perceive it as innocent and purely platonic? If they perceive this as an overture by you, and they haven't rejected your overture, then you are encouraging them to pursue you. . . right?

Third question: when your SO walks in and finds you cuddled with someone else, what will your SO think is going on? Will they really think this is something innocent and platonic, or will they think you are sending a signal to the cuddle partner that you may have some interest in the advanced nude cuddling class?

TLDR: probably not a good idea unless you are ready to say goodbye to your current SO!

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

The definition of “cheating” is different for each different couple -- it depends on the (usually discussed) “relationship agreement/understanding” that each couple has regarding what interactions are allowed and not allowed with people outside of the couple’s relationship.

Some couples consider physical acts such as kissing or intimate touching (to include cuddling) people outside of their relationship to be “cheating,” and other couples consider online flirting (and/or sexual chatting/roleplaying/sending & requesting nudes) with anyone outside of the couple’s relationship to be “cheating.”

So, if cuddling—or in general: any behavior—is done with someone outside of a couple! s relationship and that behavior goes against that couple’s “relationship agreement/understanding,” then that behavior is “cheating” for that couple.

Grania · Accepted Answer

This is a difficult one. I can see why many would find this inappropriate but I'd say this would depend on multiple factors.

What are the circumstances? Is this a good friend who has recently dealt with a difficult situation and is this purely as friends that you're comforting her? When it's a situation where she just became single then that's very inappropriate, but if both are not or if she's been single for a long time I guess that's ok as long as it's not intimate cuddles.

How long have you know the friend and how close are you? Does your girlfriend know them? If it's a friend you've known for very long or from before your relationship or if it's just a very good friend that you have a very close bond with and your girlfriend know her than for me it honestly wouldn't be a problem.

If however this is because you need cuddling and prefer to do it with her than with your girlfriend that would really be problematic and inappropriate.

You see: a lot of very thin lines to walk on. Honestly talk about it with your partner and see how that goes as it's different for everyone and every situation. Good communication is the key to everything.

Brainsbeforebeauty · Accepted Answer

Do guys cuddle with their guy friends when watching a movie? 🤔 So why would they cuddle with their girl friends?🤔 I'm old school, if you have a boyfriend/girlfriend, husband/wife they the only one you should be "cuddling" with.. I mean how many times does "cuddling" lead to "other" things?

AmandaYVR · Answer

All depends. It's not the act itself that is the measure. It's the 'why' behind it.
And if it's mutual or if one person is making concessions for the other, because they really want/need that physical contact from someone.

It would not make the partner feel good, that's for sure.
But it needs further exploration before judging finitely.

Paris13 · Answer

Not appropriate. xx

lilyanony1 · Answer

If you or your partner were sat in the sofa with a friend of the same sex that so happens to be attracted to your gender.

Would that make it cheating?

If the answer is no because they're gay and you're not then there's nothing wrong with it.

The bottom line is this. Whether it's a friend of the opposite sex or a friend that's gay of the same sex they're still a friend.
The key word is "friend".

I know you didn't mention sexuality but I did to signify a potential barrier.

Citizenkirk · Answer

More information will provide at least some context too your question, which is non-existent in this question, so no! You will not be accused of cheating in the 1,000 m dash in the next Olympic games because you cuddled with a friend sometime in your life, on some couch somewhere, unless that friend was one of your competitors on the take, caught spiking the water of another competitor in that race, during the upcoming summer World Olympic Games, that are supposed to be coming up if humanity doesn't blow itself off the face of the Earth before then.
If I'm not even close to the mark, then it's your fault for not explaining anything about the situation inspiring that question.
If I'm not off the mark, then I'm reporting you to the World Olympic Committee, for conspiracy to cheat in the upcoming Summer Olympic Games.🤯😵🥴

Biancam13 · Answer

Yes because I know for A FACT that I don’t cuddle guys I just consider platonic friends. Because that would give them the wrong impression. And I would feel so awkward and uncomfortable. Cuddling=attraction I don’t care who says otherwise

PaynefulPleasures · Answer

Cuddling is for couples not your friends, just my opinion ✌️

jasmine_0603 · Answer

It depends on the boundaries you have set with your partner. Hugging a friend is fine, but cuddling with them on the couch seems like too much in my opinion, but it also depends what your motives were. There's a pretty thin line between what some people consider "cheating" and what they consider to be "ok". Personally, I wouldn't like my boyfriend cuddling with his friend, that's too intimate and reserved only for us. I would advise you to talk with your partner about your boundaries.

Screenwriter · Answer

The key word is "friend," not "affair" or "lover."
Of course, this is harmless. There are those who might be jealous of such behavior, but they're narrowminded.
It's tiresome, but it happens.
Be at peace with your friendships and enjoy them.

boombastik · Answer

No but if I walk in my house and my woman is cuddled up with some dude, he taking an asswhooping. I don't care if he gay! Nobody has any business cuddled up with my woman. #1, to people aren't going to let someone in their personal space like that, especially if they have a S. O. unless they have some attraction going on with one another. Ain't nobody bout to cuddle up with someone they don't find attractive & that's too close. #2, it could easily turn into one of those "it just happened" moments when those hormones get to churning.

Kaneki05 · Answer

me cuddling with a girl don't mean i want her to be my girlfriend or anything. So i don't see why it would be cheating. And looking at other's opinions guess my thinking don't align with everyone else.
But i really don't understand how cuddling = i want her to be my side chick or i want her more than my partner. I really don't see it. If cuddling with a friend = cheating might just stay single. Cause if you think i am gonna watch a film with my bestfriend and not cuddle up while doing so, you have another thing coming.

Telekinetic-Potato · Answer

It's funny, because if I had a girl and saw her cuddling with a dude, There's a good chance I wouldn't think anything of it. But I feel like feel like for a guy it's really different.

I don't know most girls I've dated, I've trusted them a lot. I feel like it depends on the situation. Like the setting, whose there, are you cuddling because it's like a little party with friends and everyone's crammed in a small room and everyone's tired and drunk. Or is it her and 2 other people or worse, she's alone and the guys reaching for stuff that's not his to reach for.

But I can see why from a girl's perspective it's pretty much never OK. Chicks are always trying to steal some other bitches man haha

JackSmy · Answer

Guys don't usually, at least 'straight guys' but I have many female friends, and some are lesbians, and totally committed to their partner, but shit happens, and sometimes you need a friend, that you TRUST, and won't do anything, but love you as a FREIND, or like a little sister!
One of my best friends, a married woman, needed someone, when her husband was out of town, on a business trip, and her brother suddenly died, from some unknown heart condition. She had nobody else, and we had the Big Brother/Little Sister kind of relationship, so I stayed with her that night, and just held her, as she cried, losing her brother. Nothing sexual, in any way, just caring and loving my 'little sister'.
Not everything is sexual, and not every interaction, between men and women is sexual!

DaisyM23 · Answer

I mean, it can be weird yeah depending on how you’re cuddling. And it’s good if you set boundaries with your partner especially if they’re the jealous/insecure type. I dunno, it depends on the relationship with who you’re cuddling with, the person you’re dating and your own feelings on both of those peopel

pleasestopthis · Answer

Cheating? I'm not sure, but I think it's highly inappropriate and it's like playing with fire. If I ever see a partner having lovely cuddling sessions with his female friends I'm leaving.

IveGotNoName · Answer

To me, cheating is when a person is hurt by their partner because of something they did with their preferred gender. Personally I would not be okay with my boyfriend cuddling another girl. I am not a very trusting person in general. I won't let people touch me at all if I'm not already super comfortable with them, which means that to me cuddling is very intimate, and something you do with a partner not a friend.

RingOfFire · Answer

I have a simple way to determine if you are cheating or not.

Just decide if it would be cheating if your SO did the same thing to you. If they answer is yes, you are cheating.

No f'n way I would want my girl to be "cuddling" with ANY other guy, friend or not.

Blaaam87 · Answer

Yes it is especially if one of you or both of you are in relationships. You all wouldn’t cuddle if you had no attraction or feelings with each other... emotionally or physically... therefore it is cheating.

just_a_potato · Answer

I really hope not, I'm very affectionate towards my tight knit friends and I guess from the outside looking in, it would look like cheating. In reality only I would know if I am or not.

Anonymous · Answer

I think it both depends on the circumstances and how both people involved see each other. People can end up really close and comfortable with ome another to the point that they dont have any intimate feeling from that sort of interaction.

I used to be really close with a girl to the point where she would fall asleep on me, we'd occasionally have sleepovers and share a bed, but we were clear that we were just really good friends and neither of us expected anything beyond that.

NathanDavis · Answer

Not on my experience, no. But I know of people for which having female friends alone, is already a big issue.

Lliam · Answer

"Cuddling" with someone else is pretty damn close to cheating. I mean, WTF? It's very intimate. If they want to cuddle with that person, why not fondling, handjobs, blowjobs or sex?
I'd be really upset if I found my partner cuddling with someone besides me.

Angeleyes4u · Answer

It’s been my experience that often, after great sex a lot of guys want to cuddle (although I’ve never really been a fan of this). To me this seems to be a rather intimate gesture from a guy to a girl. I’m not sure I would completely qualify cuddling on the couch with a friend as cheating, as there is definitely some gray area there, but without a doubt it’s totally crossing the line.

TheLawAroundHere · Answer

Yes. Without question.

here's the test. Run your potential actions through this, and you will get the right answer every time.

Would you do whatever it is you're fixing to do if your girlfriend/S. O./Fiance/wife was in the room with you?

Stick with that, follow the answer, and have a long happy relationship.

ClemFandango · Answer

Yes, I think so... unless its a family member, who else would you cuddle up with? Its not double standards because as much as Id despise anyones arm around my girlfriend but mine... she would feel the same way vice versa.

Perhaps 'cheating' isn't the word butI think that if you have to ask if it is 'cheating' then you know its frowned upon and perhaps unacceptable.

HawkPerception · Answer

A quick hug (even from the front) is okay. Anything more than that... like cuddling on a couch even like in the example picture is cheating for sure. Anything you would get jealous of seeing your partner doing with another person is considered cheating. Some people may not feel negative emotions seeing their partner cuddle with someone but the vast majority definitely do so those are the standards.

whatdoyouwantt · Answer

You know what I wonder? How can you cuddle lets say a friend in your case and not catch feelings? What’s the trick? Cause I could never!

Kas19 · Answer

Depends on your relationship. That's definitely a no deal for mine.

Stephbs2 · Answer

Depends on your type of relationship to either. Do you feel like somethe=ing is wrong? Does your SO feel okay with this?

Bookluvr25 · Answer

Depends on the friend and the type of cuddling. I have a female friend i have known for a long time if it was her absolutely. We do it now whenever one of us is sad or just needs a hug no hesitation. If it was a guy the most id do is put my feet on him or hand my legs on his knee. No serious cuddling.

FreyaRed · Answer

Technically no, but I wouldn't accept someone who cuddles with others. Maybe if it was his own child but in this case I wouldn't date him anyway.

Thatasianlove16 · Answer

Not cheating but I can see it as being inappropriate

Dawty · Answer

In normal relationships, yes, flirting and cuddling is light cheating.

electromagnetic · Answer

Not necessarily cheating. But really undesirable behaviour

purplepoppy · Answer

As long as hands don't wander it's no more inappropriate than cuddling the dog

sheikalana · Answer

I mean I wouldn’t like to see my partner with other women doesn’t matter if it’s his friend or his cousin.

Sweetener_ · Answer

No, it's inappropriate because it might lead to that.

spartan55 · Answer

I don't cuddle with friends, and don't understand how some people think it's normal. I wouldn't be having it if my SO cuddled with a guy friend.

Synikal · Answer

I don't like it... that's for sure. They wouldn't like me doing the same either. The answer lies in the response. For me... it's not cheating but not right. You're comfortable with a friend and not with a loved one? Something doesn't look or sound right.

JosyJosy · Answer

As long as you don't cuddle with your hand on his dick, you should be fine

ArrowheadSW · Answer

If someone is in a relationship, cuddling is reserved for that person. So yes I would consider cuddling to be cheating.

exitseven · Answer

I don;t think so. I had female friends and sometimes I would go to the movies with one of them. Sometimes we would hold hands or she would lean against me. I had a girlfriend but I really liked these people.

lanadelrey25 · Answer

Hell f****** yes. I'm ending the relationship at that point, so shameful and disrespectful.

modelUN242 · Answer

Yes, duh.

Omar5881 · Answer

Not “ cheating “ per se but you’re not respecting the boundaries of your relationship

Nazgol · Answer

Not in a sexual way but yes it is also considered cheating

PYTcassiaxo · Answer

That is a form of emotional cheating/neglect for sure.

Jjpayne · Answer

It's a good question but I'd say no. It's something you would do with a family member too

dreamstar72 · Answer

Would it be cheating if your partner was cuddling up with his/her good friend while you were watching or not

ChocoBrowny · Answer

Thats going south im afraid, its definetly innapropriate.

itsdeaaa_94 · Answer

It's not cheating but is crossing the boundaries which should be put between you and your friend.

Ripper_E · Answer

No, but I doubt any woman I'm ever with will be okay with it, so I would never do it.

Marco10 · Answer

I would say so. Depends on the relationship, but definitely inappropriate and physically flirtatious. Not a very good combo.

Iron_Man · Answer

Well I certainly wouldn't want my girlfriend doing that to a male.

Matt3 · Answer

Omg hhhhhhhh You think only fucking is cheating 🤔

Ninaq154 · Answer

I kind of prefer cuddle from my friend rather than those of my partner. I'm not sure that I'll to see my partner cuddling someone else

HaveNoName · Answer

"Cheating" indeed if your spouse does not know about it.

clampfan101 · Answer

Not in my opinion if there’s nothing else suggesting more than friends, but I can see both sides.

JKhehra · Answer

As you have defined him/her as your friend so its not cheating. Now actually you are just with a friend comforting him/her. No cheating as i see it.

Joshua0213 · Answer

Wouldn't say so unless you're touching her sexually, but just cuddling isn't necessarily cheating

karolaga · Answer

Lol 🤣 yes.

Is cuddling on the couch with a friend considered cheating?

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