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While most people know the standard definition of cheating in a relationship — some might not be aware that there’s also such a thing as “micro-cheating.”
A dating expert recently revealed the sneaky signs that indicate a partner could be partaking in this disrespectful behavior.
“You won’t find evidence, you won’t see texts — but you know that something is going on. That’s how silent cheating works,” explained a dating guru, known as M, in one of her TikTok videos.
To get more technical, according to Psychology Today, micro-cheating — also known as silent cheating, refers to subtle behaviors that blur the lines of emotional or physical fidelity.
So how do you know if you’re being emotionally two-timed?
M broke it down into five sneaky behaviors that scream betrayal — even if there’s no lipstick on a collar.
1. They’re engaging in what seems like “innocent flirting”
The first is flirting while “toeing the line.” This, M said, is just enough to make you uncomfortable but not enough of a reason for you to accuse them of actually cheating.
“They might engage with certain people, like, comment, follow people that make you uncomfortable, but not outright enough for you to call it cheating,” the content creator noted.
“It’s so confusing. They have these overly friendly comments, inside jokes, these just barely there physical touches, and if you bring it up they will brush it off,” she went on.
2. They have a backup love interest
The second behavior to watch out for is your beau keeping their options open. Ever notice your partner texting an ex-situationship, claiming they’re “just friends?”
According to the dating expert, this is a classic sign of silent cheating. “They might keep their options open without technically cheating,” she shared.
3. They secretly have an emotional connection with someone other than you
According to M, another sneaky sign is your beau relying on someone else for emotional support.
“Are they building emotional intimacy with somebody else? Are they confiding in someone about things that they should be discussing with you?” she asked.
If the answer is yes, the expert warned that although the betrayal may not be physical — “it still leaves you feeling like you’re being emotionally replaced.”
4. They conceal their phone and take it everywhere with them
M mentioned that anyone who has ever been in a relationship understands that a partner hiding their phone is a major red flag.
“I feel like we’ve all been in this one,” M said, describing how silent cheaters often act shady with their phones.
“They (silent cheaters) are turning their screen away when they’re texting, or they’re suddenly exiting out of apps when you walk by,” she added.
5. Your partner gets defensive over everything
The last sign that notions your partner is micro-cheating is if “instead of reassuring you, they get defensive when you bring up your concerns,” she said.
“They flip it on you: ‘Wow, so you don’t trust me?’ or ‘You’re just paranoid.’ A lot of the time, they never actually deny it — they just make you feel guilty for even asking,” M explained.
If you sense that your partner is micro-cheating on you, there are a few expert-approved ways to handle it.
For starters, try not to be accusatory. If you notice your partner is on their phone more often than usual, bring it up to them, instead of accusing them of doing something wrong, advised William Schroeder, a therapist and owner of Just Mind Counseling centers in Austin, Texas, according to the Associated Press.
He also said to address a problem in the relationship as soon as it happens, instead of letting it fester.
Lastly, Schroeder said to talk about your boundaries with one another. If you met your partner on a dating app, discuss if you both feel comfortable deleting the apps and ending conversations with past love interests on social media.
Read the full article here
