Do you consider casual flirting with other people while being in a relationship, cheating?

[umaxxxx]

If you want please explain your opinion. (Why yes, or why no)

Yes, casual flirting is cheating.

No, i don't consider casual flirting cheating.

[Dalton57]

Flirting is a mating behaviour. Of course it's cheating.

It can be harmless IMHO. Two people meet and have an instant attraction to each other and they chat it up a bit. Giggling, all smiles, they only have eyes for each other. For a couple of minutes or so and then that's it. Forever. IMHO this happens all the time.

It's not deliberate but it's still cheating. I think any same person can forgive this and get over it eventually. Especially when they realize they can be guilty of the same thing.

If your SO flirts with others on a regular basis, maybe to the point that you dread going out to public places with them, as a guy maybe it starts to kill your sex drive. You are all hard ready to go then this image pops into your head and that's it.

This kind of behaviour tells your SO that you are not good enough for them. They are still looking for that special someone. The more flirting that goes on, the harder your SO is working to find your replacement.

Take it up a level to physical contact, another level to exposing or drawing attention to one's body parts, another level to caressing, kissing.

it's a spectrum.

[oldasIfeel22]

It’s a gradation of cheating. Definitely not the same as going the whole nine yards.

It works like this:

Staring at someone else: often rude but somewhat understandable. Forgivable.

Casually flirting: much more rude: Forgivable if it happened maybe once or twice and your partner doesn’t ever see the person again

Kissing someone else: definitely crossing the line here. Can be forgiven if it was a stupid mistake while being drunk at a party but still very bad. If your partner doesn’t sincerely feel guilt for this it’s break up time.

Playing around with genitals: goodbye (extremely rare exceptions for this)

All out sex: if you stay with your partner after after you found out about this then the problem is on YOU not them. Nobody self respecting man or woman would tolerate this. But I see people bending over for this all the time.

Now there are some extremely rare exceptions where one partner had “cuckolding” fetishes. But that’s different because it was out on the table.

[DeltaCharlieEcho]

My issue with this idea is that insecure people think general decency is flirting; wrong would make even the most mundane of conversation cheating.

[oldasIfeel22]

@DeltaCharlieEcho they are usually guilty of something themselves.

[crazyish]

Casual flirting is now sex.. damn I'm a huge ho.. I even flirt with strangers😲

I honestly don't even have an argument against how ridiculous this sounds to me. I will definitely question people who say they've been 'cheated' on now.

What's considered casual flirting these days? Smiling at someone? Saying hi? Having a laugh? Complimenting someone? Hugging?

I have a flirty personality. I flirt in front of whoever I'm with. I don't get jealous if they flirt in front of me. If someone is only flirting behind your back then obviously they think its wrong, then yeah maybe you have reason to be a little worried that they might eventually cheat.

[ChrisMaster69]

@crazyish ditto

I flirt with my mates, we just do it

I do it naturally

[heytherelol1]

What if the girl is flirting a lot with another guy. She teases him a lot, lets him playfully touch her, playfully touches him.

[ChrisMaster69]

@heytherelol1

Well then you are moving away from casual flirting.
Casual flirting is not about touching.
In fact flirting is really not about touching, it’s a dance, it’s suggestion of a touch, it’s the anticipation of a touch.
If you touch, run the risk of it all failing,

Body language, eyes, lips, voice, what you say, tone etc all are flirting,

Physically touching is to me not really flirting, or rather it’s heading towards the end game (if there is one).

[crazyish]

I agree with @ChrisMaster69

If playfully touching is involved it is no longer casual flirting.

[ChrisMaster69]

@crazyish we rock

[RingOfFire]

My definition of cheating is doing anything with another person that you would not want your partner to see or know about.

[crazyish]

Lol yeah we do

@RingOfFire
Exactly. If you feel the need to hide something then that's a big indication that you feel like you're doing something wrong so your intentions might not all be that pure.

[msbrightness]

Not if it doesn't lead anywhere.

At the end of the day loyalty is a decision. There is trouble in meeting someone new you might like, appreciate - when you like and appreciate (and love) the person you are already with - and when you would choose them again.

It's a bit unfair on your flirt, to not give them the room to get all of you - but you can't belong to two people (unless they agree for it to be that way)

[heytherelol1]

What if the girl is flirting a lot with another guy. She teases him a lot, lets him playfully touch her, playfully touches him.

[msbrightness]

@heytherelol1 Playfulness is fine, but that kind of indicates she is not really in her declared relationships.
Many girls are with someone because someone else told them so, not because they have found the person that is their genuine match/partner.
There is a difference in how you feel.
It could just be immaturity as well, or a lack of something better/concrete that makes a person flirt casually.

[Apope16]

if its not cheating its disrespectful. do not do this!

[TruthBringer]

Yes, it is cheating. If you're going to act single, then stay single.

Once you're in a relationship, there are boundaries that needed not to be crossed. Have some self-respect and some respect for your relationship by NOT directly or indirectly inviting unncessary drama and backdoor problems into your relationship. Someone who flirts "casually" behind their partner's back is obviously not to be trusted. It is also a clear sign that you're not serious about the relationship. And no person who respects themselves will continue being with you.

[dangerDoge]

I think it’s a matter of semantics at this point. It’s like if I gave you a stack of papers with a story/words written on it, and then I asked you if it was a book. It may not “technically” be a book, but it surely is on its way to being considered one.

I wouldn’t consider it cheating by the prototypical definition, but that doesn’t mean I condone it by any means. I think if you’re in a relationship, you shouldn’t be flirting around. To note, I also consider flirting slightly different from just being joking/playful in conversation. Flirting has an intent and it has some sexual undertone to it. Even if the intent isn’t full-out sex (as per casual flirting), I still consider it wrong, since it implies trying to get some sort of sexual satisfaction as the end goal.

[Finchie40]

Not cheating , but it can lead into problems , and it’s disrespectful to your relationship and your partner by accepting fire into your relationship , why it’s best to not casually flirt if you are in a relationship , a person that flirts when they are in a relationship are only thinking of themselves they aren’t thinking of the repercussions that it could lead even though your intentions are not to cause harm , it can , why it’s best to not do so. People that have to casually flirt while in a relationship , shouldn’t be in a relationship period.

[heytherelol1]

What if the girl is flirting a lot with another guy. She teases him a lot, lets him playfully touch her, playfully touches him.

[Finchie40]

Then she shouldn’t be in a relationship period

[virtue2332]

I worked in nursing and was surrounded by women and I occasionally casually flirted to gain favors or influence. I was in a great relationship and cheating was far from my mind it was more for comedic effect practice if you will. The second your relationship turns bad and you start confiding in your flirt body or the sexual tension to grow it is going to be next to impossible to refrain from cheating. So my rule is not to put myself in a situation where it becomes possible. It's never with it sexually or emotionally

[redcheeks]

Its not "cheating" cause its "harmless". While this may be true, has anyone ever thought of the consequences if you do?

Relationship needs commitment. Not just to commit yourself in being loyal but in so many things, like only present your flirty side to your partner.

Consequences. Yes to you who does it, you may not think much about it. The person you are flirting to? Some might take it seriously. Some will see that as something and do things like stalk you or touch you. Some won't see the line of you being in a rs and will disrespect it. And so on.

Altho yes there are others who knows how to draw the line, there are others who don't know.

"Having a goalkeeper doesn't mean you can't score." This is what you potray to people if you flirt in a rs fyi.

[ChrisMaster69]

No because you can flirt without it being sexual and also actually state you are married etc and simply flirt.

it can simply just be a good way of having a laugh.

giving compliments etc is part of flirting.

Now if you try and move it past casual flirting, then yeah you are in danger of cheating or at least hitting that trust and respect thing you have with your partner.

[ChrisMaster69]

Hmm interesting split in downvotes.

I guess no one flirts when out shopping and trying to get say free samples with perfume or aftershave,

Or trying to blag free entry to some place,

If I want to get some information from a supplier etc, I will flirt with them, it’s not sexual, it’s just making them feel happy and stuff, it’s definitely not a normal conversation as it includes the usual bits such as eye contact and body language normally present in flirting.

I’ve seen an ex flirt with a guy in an electronics shop, she got 30% discount and some freebies.

I’ve done the same thing when out shopping for stuff.

Genuine question. When a girl bats her eyes etc at a guy in a shop and tries to get discount or something, what is it called?

Well if a bunch of people don’t do that to get discount.

You can and you do get discount, it’s like being nice to people oh and it is flirting,

[friendzoned4life]

Yes, I also see it as mental abuse.

See a guy like me doesn't get a lot of flirting.
When in a bar the female bartender flirts with you, you know it's fake.

But if a random girl does it and she is attractive too. Then I will get false hope that I actually have a shot with her. So casual flirting is a huge red flag. If you are my girlfriend and A guy tries to hit on you, you're reaction decides if I break up. And if you flirt in back in the ligthest way possible you're out.

And I am not gonna decide something else no. matter what you say or how hard you cry.

Learned my lesson.

[friendzoned4life]

To the woman that downvoted my comment you are a slut

[TruthBringer]

Well said! This is the right mindset to have. If a girl is going to act single while being with me, then she can go ahead and stay single.

[he-takes-a-part]

NO i won't. THats completely okay to casual flirt with other girls for guys esp if the person is handsome-hunk. Coz at first instance girls around him cannot know whether he is in a realtionship and when lot of girls signal you the way you read in books and dreamed off and you think that its easy to pass time with these girls and manage your own relation then its not cheating anywhich ways flirting promotes healthy ways of communication and its for anygirl to decide if she like it or not it won't really matter to the girl if the guy is already in a realtionship.
YOu can have multiple times sex with someone and not develop feeling for the person and you can love someone else and fuck someone else

[Daniela1982]

It may not be cheating but it still is a dick move. And guess what, flirting is the beginning of cheating in the heart because it is a temptation and not everyone can withstand a temptation. You may start out in just doing it for fun but but like a lot of things fun intentions can turn into more serious intentions and before you know it you are drawn into cheating. People who flirt just to tease are dick weeds.

[heytherelol1]

What if the girl is flirting a lot with another guy. She teases him a lot, lets him playfully touch her, playfully touches him.

[Daniela1982]

@heytherelol1 That is more than flirting, that is being a tease.

[NorthAfrican]

Definition of flirting " to behave as though sexually attracted to someone, but playfully rather than with serious intentions.
"she began to tease him, flirting with other men in front of him"".

Flirting is leading someone on, making them think you have sexual interest.
So even if it's not cheating, it's very disrespectful.

[Azura_88]

Even to your partner because despite having them, others are focused to attract others. It shows not only disrespect but also treat their partner like they never existed.

[heytherelol1]

What if the girl is flirting a lot with another guy. She teases him a lot, lets him playfully touch her, playfully touches him.

[Azura_88]

@heytherelol1 she's definitely interested in him sexually

[Azura_88]

at least subconsciously. Sometimes people just flirt because they can't help it and don't know the exact reason. But there is definitely attraction and temptation involved

[Aethereal]

I voted "yes", but my answer is really dependent on what you establish as cheating with your partner. If you've both established that flirting is okay, it's not a problem. If one or both of you have indicated that flirting would make them uncomfortable/unhappy, then flirting, be it casual or serious, is cheating.

[heytherelol1]

What if the girl is flirting a lot with another guy. She teases him a lot, lets him playfully touch her, playfully touches him.

[Aethereal]

@heytherelol1 That's not something I'd personally call light flirting. If my girlfriend did that, I wouldn't be comfortable. But like I said, if the couple has already discussed this matter (and are okay with each other flirting), then it's only a problem for outsiders (whose opinions really don't matter). In my own discussions with my girlfriend, we both established that neither of us would be okay with any kind of flirting (with other people). So for us, this would constitute cheating.

[Anonymous]

Story time:

Back in 2013 my then girlfriend and I went to an anime convention in our city. She wasn't all that into anime but wanted to go anyway. While we were there, I started up a conversation with this other girl about an upcoming anime that was debuting in Japan and we kinda laughed a little. Well my then girlfriend got really upset and pulled me aside and said what i was doing was "basically cheating." Like what does that even mean? I just was just making casual conversation with someone who happened to be female and you're upset about it? Did you think I was gonna dump you on the spot and take her? Sheesh.

Sometimes I really don't understand what goes through a woman's mind sometimes.

[jack187625]

You were talking with someone who has a common interest that she didn't share. She felt threatened by that and blamed you for it.

[Kaneki05]

Without the intention of anything else of course not. However it could still be upsetting to someone. But honestly that's them been insecure. Not misplaced insecurity tbf. One cannot read someone's mind to know the intention. But i feel like a lot of people have the ability to kinda wager what's seems too much especially if it's a person you know what they act like and are their partner.

[tuvwxyz]

I told women before I do it back, experience has been those who make light of it are much less in favor once on the receiving end, often it's more a "have my cake and eat it too" idea - I enjoy attention, you should accept that, but get jealous when you do it, therefore you shouldn't (i. e. everything is about me and my feelings)

[Billyscotter]

If one is in a relationship, they're better off not casually flirting. With all flirting, it's about drawing others in with romantic/sexual temptation. Drawing people in that one isn't interested in may be empowering drawing people in, but it's selfish.

[RingOfFire]

Yes, it's cheating.

You should not feel the need to express that kind of interest in anyone else or the desire to project the appearance that you are open to a relationship with someone else. If you do, your relationship has a problem.

Also, and girls might not understand this, when you flirt with a guy, to the guy that is a serious invitation to pursue you. It's not just a casual thing to a guy. They are always on the hunt and when a girl does this, he takes it seriously.

[heytherelol1]

What if the girl is flirting a lot with another guy. She teases him a lot, lets him playfully touch her, playfully touches him.

[RingOfFire]

I would say that's not a matter of cheating or not. It's a matter that your relationship is not very strong. If it was, you wouldn't want to do things like that with anyone else.

Lat me put it another way. Cheating is anything you wouldn't do with someone else in front of your partner.

[RachelBrooke]

Yes it is. Stealing from a store and saying you were borrowing is still stealing. The same thing applies. Just have casual sex if you’re not going to stay loyal.

[BLMUSER]

It depends.
I've read that handsome men and beautiful women love the attention of the opposite sex. Well, they love the attention of all people. And many of them aren't willing to give that up even if they are in a relationship. So if you are in a relationship with a beautiful person, you have to accept this.

[EssenceOfLight]

No, it's not cheating. Being flirty is a type of communication that establishes between some people. Of course it's stupid to talk that way with someone in presence of your partner, because awaking doubts is the best way to destroy your relationship. However if it's only flirty or suggestive talk without proposals for meeting, it's not cheating.