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Miss Know It All |
There have been discussions about a side to infidelity
that is trending right now. According to some experts, more people in
relationships are ‘micro-cheating,’ which is defined as being emotionally or physically
involved with someone outside of the marriage.
The Urban Dictionary defines ‘micro-cheating’ as behaviors
considered disloyal within a relationship, nothing too serious but not too
innocent either. It can be frequent flirting, touching, calling, texting,
chatting or asking someone for intimate advice, all hidden from your partner.
When it comes to physical cheating, the signs can be quite
obvious, but as to whether your partner is micro-cheating, the messages may be
vague.
According to Australian Psychologist and consultant,
Melanie Schilling, there are signs to look out for when someone is
micro-cheating:
· Schilling calls these actions
“covert flirting” because you’re keeping it from your partner. It’s not one
single action but a series of small activities that put the focus on a person
outside your relationship.
· “You might be engaging in
micro-cheating if you secretly connect with another person on social media, if
you share private jokes, if you downplay the seriousness of your relationship
to your partner or if you enter their name under a code in your phone,” she
told Daily Mail.
· The first indication of
micro-cheating is the secrecy surrounding your partner’s activities. One thing
to look at is if the person is having private conversations or online messaging
that they stop once you enter the room. Or are they complimenting someone of
the opposite sex with things they never tell you? If you catch the person in
the act of micro-cheating, they could easily excuse their behavior as merely a friendship,
but Schilling says there are ways to differentiate the two.
· “However, if they start to conceal
their relationship from you or lie to you about it, then start considering the
appropriateness of their connection.” In the end, Schilling told Daily Mail to
ultimately trust your gut, but she does caution to be rational instead of
emotional about it.
Since
micro-cheating is not considered full blown cheating, it is important to
remember the relationship you and your partner form must be clear as to what
types of behaviors are acceptable or to make known when the lines are being
crossed.