What Constitutes Cheating in a Relationship?

So much drama on Married at First Sight 2018, with the big cheating scandal!

Hubster is a bit of a cynic. He’s convinced that certain individuals have been paid a large sum of money on the quiet, to play the villain/s of the piece.

Sure, the couples on the show are not really “married”. Still it makes you wonder – if they can’t honour the vows they made for even a few weeks, heaven help them (and their partner) when they eventually tie the knot for real!

When is it Cheating?

For those not following the show, Davina and Dean have had obvious chemistry right from the start – even though they are “married” to other people.

Attraction does happen sometimes, even if you are married or in a committed relationship. But it’s when the individuals concerned pursue it, that it becomes a betrayal of their partner.

And that’s what Davina and Dean are guilty of.

From the start they were very flirtatious, and constantly making eyes at each other.

Things quickly progressed to the point where they were constantly texting each other behind their partners’ backs, sneaking away to be together, cuddling, and whispering sweet nothings to each other.

Watching the show, it looks like they haven’t actually kissed on the lips, or taken it any further.

Yet most of us would agree that they crossed the line into cheating territory.

Emotional Cheating?

Some would call Davina and Dean’s antics, “emotional cheating”. It’s made me realise, cheating is cheating, whether emotional, physical, or both.

Up until now, if you had asked me “what constitutes cheating in a relationship”, I probably would have nominated kissing as the breaking point.

Now I’ve realised that cheating happens long before that point.

In the case of Dean and Davina, I think the fact that they are being sneaky is the giveaway. If they didn’t have something to hide, it wouldn’t be cheating.

Personally? Even flirtatious texts and touches, with somebody who is not your partner, is taking things too far. I wouldn’t like it if the hubster was interacting with another woman in this way, and I know he’d be upset if it was the other way round.

Now over to you – what do you think constitutes cheating in a relationship?