Relationship Warning: Is Flirting Considered Cheating?

Flirting is one of the ways to start a conversation with a person you are attracted to, using your natural charm and charisma. While some people flirt to get someone they like into bed, some flirt without any malicious intent. 

Thus, some people think that flirting isn’t cheating. They consider flirting as a standard way to start a conversation. Due to this, the question is when flirting becomes cheating when you are in a relationship? Continue reading to figure it out. 

When does flirting become cheating?

Gentle behavior with someone outside your relationships is harmless until the boundaries are not breached. Of course, every couple is unique and has a different degree of comfort when it comes to flirting. What is acceptable for one couple is a complete violation for another. 

That’s why it is essential to have a conversation with your partner upon the boundaries in your relationships and define acceptable behavior for you both. So, if a partner crosses the line or violates a promise, it would be trouble. 

For example, a friend of mine asked her boyfriend to delete his Facebook account due to the communication with a friend he knew from a college. She was convinced that that woman wrote misleading text messages luring him into her trap. He rejected such behavior, which is not surprising at all. 

Undoubtedly, flirting provoked by romantic or sexual desires may lead to infidelity. But actually, it is not necessarily the way where it takes place. Very often, flirting starts as harmless behavior, blurring the lines between innocent flirting and cheating. Now, let’s move to the red-flags telling that flirting has gone too far.

10 signs that flirting is cheating

To prevent a situation when flirting becomes cheating, it is crucial to be aware of the most popular signs telling that you get across a border. Here are must-know signs explaining when flirting is cheating: 

#1. Secretive behavior 

Well, if you delete texts or emails either to or from another person it is definitely a wake-up call that things go too far. You may say that you do it without a malicious intent, but both of us know that it is not true. If you delete a correspondence with any other person, it means that there is something upsetting for your Mr. or Mrs. Right and you try to cover it up at all costs. Put yourself in your spouse’s shoes: How would you feel if your significant other would have frequent chats with attractive man or woman? If this thought makes you feel uncomfortable, there you go. 

#2. It has sexual trails 

Of course, it is not always evident. But if you find out that your talk with another person stirs up your sexual desires and fuels your sexual fantasies, then you are on dangerous ground. If you notice sexual echoes in your communication, then watch out. It may be a sign that you are in trouble. 

#3. You spend a lot of time communicating with him or her

Obviously, communicating with another person, you also need to take into consideration not only what is said, but also how much time is spent with this person. In other words, if you check your phone every five minutes for a text from this “friend,” it is a warning sign that it is more than friendly talk. My best friend convinced me that she just talked all day long with her new friend because they had so many things in common until she accepted that she spent more time with him than with her own husband. So, it is another sign that you are treading on sacred. 

#4. You always convince yourself that he or she is just a friend 

“It is innocent friendship” is a phrase that you always keep in your mind. Do really think that you always need to prove to yourself that it is an innocent friendship? Definitely not. It is a warning sign that your attitude towards this person is absolutely opposite and you are about to cross the line. 

#5. It complies with your needs 

Flirting online is also cheating. If your online communication with a new or old “friend” meets your intimacy needs, there is no need to seek any excuses. If you share with another person your intimate thoughts or dreams that you don’t share with your husband or wife, it is high time to turn on an alarming bell. Keep an eye out if you get your emotions to feed in any way that you don’t get at home. Apart from standing on dangerous ground, it also signifies that you have gaps in your marriage.

#6. You talk about your husband or wife

Discussing your marriage with another person is the wrong choice and hope we don’t need to explain why. Imagine that your husband or wife shares intimate details of your marriage with another person. How would you feel?

#7. Your significant other disapproves it 

If your husband or wife is against the communication with Mrs. or Mr. X, it may be either because of the content of communication or its amount. Put yourself in your spouse’s shoes. Would you be okay that your hubby or wifey talks non-stop with another person and neglecting your family life? Definitely not.  

#8. Your friend has concerns 

Well, be vigilant if your best friend asks why you are so absorbed in communication with another person.  Best friends, parents, or siblings can often notice alarming signs before you will recognize them yourself. So, it is better to focus on your marriage that wasting time on what you shouldn’t. 

#9. You follow the wrong path 

Marriage life is not always happy. Supposing your wife always complains about marriage life, criticizes your appearance, or simply knock you down. The simplest way out is to find a person who will feed your ego and boost your confidence. So, quite often married people start flirting with another man or woman to prove their spouse that they are still attractive to others.

And in most cases, it really works. But also, it is a manipulation –  there other healthier ways to regain confidence and power that you’ve lost.

#10. You think about this person even when you are with your spouse

If you spend time with your husband or wife, but your mind is with another person, it is definitely a warning sign that you are standing on thin ice. It is absolutely normal to have an interest in another person as long as you can fight them off. In other cases, it can lead to complete drama. 

Uh oh…I went too far. Now what? 

What’s happened’s happened. First, you need to admit it to yourself; second, you need to look inward to find a reason. You can even imagine what your future could look like if your flirting grew into something more. 

Next, you need to have an honest conversation with your significant other and discuss what is missing in your present relationships. And, how you could eliminate this problem?

The best outcome for this situation is to establish clear boundaries and rules that you both are comfortable with. Apart from your own wants and needs, it is important to care about things that may make your partner disappointed and upset. It is exactly what happy relationships are all about. 

But there is another side of a medal. There is always a chance that a flirting partner sees nothing wrong in their behavior, and continue to neglect the feelings of another person and don’t want to change the way they behave. Well, obviously, it is a sign just to walk away.

FAQ section

What constitutes as flirting?

Flirting is a playful behavior aimed to attract someone you like. It is mainly done to engage this person into a conversation or with a purpose to get anything from them. 

Why do people flirt?

Well, the reason why both men and women engage in flirting is to attract each other. Also, they flirt to make each other better about themselves, to boost self-confidence and self-worth. In some cases, people flirt to make another person to do something for them. 

How do you trust again after cheating?

It may be difficult to regain trust after cheating, but still, it is important to leave negative moments in the past not to burden your future. Here are some tips that may help to trust again after infidelity: 

1. Take some time to pick up the pieces. The healing process requires some time. 
2. Dedicate some time to yourself and organize your thoughts.
3. Forgive a person who cheated on you. 
4. Distract yourself from negative thoughts. You can start a new hobby or go traveling. 
5. Choose a partner for new relationships more attentively. 

Why do people cheat?

Any person may have their own reasons for cheating. One of the most wide-spread reasons why people may cheat is the following: they like the way cheating makes them feel. It most cases it gives a powerful boost of confidence, eliminates fears and self-doubts. Also, people may cheat because they are sex-addicted or not ready for serious relationships. 

Why do students cheat?

Students tend to cheat because they are young, active, and not ready to settle down for serious relationships. 

What is emotional cheating in a marriage?

Generally, emotionally cheating occurs when one person spends time and energy with someone beyond their marriage. As a result, emotional cheating leads to the emotional distance in marriage and marriage disbalance. 

Is an emotional relationship cheating?

Emotional cheating significantly differs from a physical one. But nevertheless, both of them tells that your relationship or marriage has troubles and you need to figure it out before it will go too far. 

What is cheating in a marriage?

Cheating in marriage is sharing a bed with a person who is not your husband or wife. Also, cheating includes sharing sexual energy, emotional support with another person. Usually, cheating creates serious distance between men and women and leads to marriage disbalance. 

Is infidelity hereditary?

The probability that infidelity is hereditary is very high. Children who are brought up by a mother or father who cheats usually take it for granted and follow their parent’s footsteps in adult life. 

Can a marriage survive after infidelity?

If both husband and wife understand a problem and ready to work on it, the chances that such marriages can survive are very high. According to statistics, 31% of marriages continue to survive after cheating. Very often, such families become even stronger with a deeper level of intimacy. 

Is cheating in marriage common?

Cheating in marriages is very wide-spread these days. According to statistics, the number of marriages where one or both people admit infidelity, whether physical or emotional is 41%. 

How can I improve my sexless marriage?

Sexless marriage has a very high probability of cheating. Here are some tips to help you out: 

1. Don’t blame your partner for cheating
2. Don’t think that your partner lost interest in having sex
3. Take the initiative to improve your intimacy
4. Discuss sexual fantasies with your partner
5. Suggest trying something new in your intimate life

Is flirting cheating yahoo?

Flirting is not always cheating, but it is definitely a sign that your marriage or relationships have a problem and lack of connection. 

Is flirting cheating meme?

Flirting may seem innocent at first sign, but if it is left as it is, it may turn out to be a real cheating and real drama for both partners. 

Does flirting lead to cheating?

Flirting is not always cheating. But there are some signs telling that your flirting goes too far: 

1. It has secretive behavior
2. It has sexual trails
3. You spend too much time with another person 
4. Your partner is against your communication
5. You discuss your marriage with another person
6. Your friend or parents also have concerns 
7. You follow the wrong path
8. You think about another person even if you are with your husband or wife
9. It complies with your needs
10. You convince yourself that he or she is just a friend does

Does flirting count as cheating?

Not always. Every couple is unique and has a different degree of comfort when it comes to flirting. What is acceptable for one couple is a complete violation for another.