It’s not all too uncommon for a woman to find lipstick marks on her husband’s collar or the faint stench of a woman’s perfume on his neck. These are probably the classic signs of cheating which have gone down in history and have been played up in many a soap opera episode. It’s the type of hedonistic cheating associated with the physical.
Apart from that though, there is what’s called emotional cheating. It’s when you develop deep emotional connections with someone who isn’t your partner. Although it doesn’t constitute hooking up or sneakily getting jiggy behind some dark alley, it’s just as harmful to any relationship as the type of cheating we have all been used to.
What are the signs that your platonic friendship with your opposite-sex friend is turning into something which raises a red flag in your romantic relationship?
Tiny special things. If you find yourself leaving him notes on his desk, or sending him a photo collage of the two of you on your last trip together, that may signal something. Giving him mementos or objects showing that you care may mean that you want him to keep thinking about you. This is also a subconscious invitation for him to return the favor.
Clandestine communication. Whenever you hear the message alert on your cellphone go off, you feel your heart skip a beat, secretly hoping it was your “friend” who texted you. Normally, you should be communicating more with your partner than with anybody else.
Spending more time with your “friend”. Those office lunches are beginning to stretch from one-hour breaks to an hour and a half, and you find yourself extremely looking forward to the 12noon mark every single workday.
Sneaky behavior. Hiding things from your significant other is a clear indicator of emotional cheating. If there are certain things going on between you and your “friend” which you don’t feel comfortable sharing with your partner, then you are teetering on the edge of emotional infidelity.
Basically, if you do or feel anything for another person which you would- or rather, should- normally do or feel for your partner, that’s a sign that relationship repairs have to be done.
