We know it’s wrong to cheat, sure, but what about all the little actions that don’t quite amount to cheating (yet), though still problematic? Called micro-cheating, this type of indiscretion flickers near the boundaries of your relationship without actually crossing the line. Think of it as physical and emotional cheating’s younger cousin.
While that line depends on each couple (or throuple), some things remain consistent in all micro-cheating scenarios. It can happen on impulse or simply for some extra excitement, but there is always a betrayal of trust and a degree of deception. Plus, you’ve started on that slippery slope of investing an inappropriate amount of time, energy and mental space in a person other than your partner. It’s about seeking or creating small opportunities to connect with that other person in a way that is more charged and sexually-tinged than a platonic friendship.
So how do you know if you’re guilty of micro-cheating? Read on to find out.
![You spend more time on your looks an attractive woman wearing sunglasses and a red crop top, staring at the mirror](https://www.slice.ca/wp-content/themes/slice/assets/default_images_placeholder.png)
You spend more time on your looks
![You avoid telling your partner about seeing this person A woman sitting outside at a cafe table](https://www.slice.ca/wp-content/themes/slice/assets/default_images_placeholder.png)
You avoid telling your partner about seeing this person
![You’re texting, calling and DMing outside the norms A woman who is smiling while staring at her phone](https://www.slice.ca/wp-content/themes/slice/assets/default_images_placeholder.png)
You’re texting, calling and DMing outside the norms
![You’re on the person’s social media A man sitting on a curb while looking at his phone](https://www.slice.ca/wp-content/themes/slice/assets/default_images_placeholder.png)
You’re on the person’s social media
![You’re minimizing your existing relationship Two men with sunglasses and smiling with their hands in the air](https://www.slice.ca/wp-content/themes/slice/assets/default_images_placeholder.png)
You’re minimizing your existing relationship
![You’re adding someone to your contacts under a false name A person using their phone and laptop at the same time](https://www.slice.ca/wp-content/themes/slice/assets/default_images_placeholder.png)
You’re adding someone to your contacts under a false name
![You’re playfully touching the other person A close up of a couple holding hands while in a coffee shop](https://www.slice.ca/wp-content/themes/slice/assets/default_images_placeholder.png)
You’re playfully touching the other person
![You’re ‘thirst-trapping’ Two women taking a selfie together](https://www.slice.ca/wp-content/themes/slice/assets/default_images_placeholder.png)
You’re ‘thirst-trapping’
![You’re thinking about someone else’s attention A small group of friends with a dog sitting on benches](https://www.slice.ca/wp-content/themes/slice/assets/default_images_placeholder.png)
You’re thinking about someone else’s attention
![Bottom line An interracial couple holding hands and looking at each other](https://www.slice.ca/wp-content/themes/slice/assets/default_images_placeholder.png)