5 Signs of Micro Cheating & How to Deal With It

We all have an idea about cheating particularly when it comes in the context of a relationship.

When discussing this infidelity, it is easy to have scenarios from catching your significant other in the act to seeing someone else for a sexual purpose other than you behind your back.

However, have we ever thought about the thing that cheating can come in more subtle ways? That is where the concept of micro-cheating comes in. Now, what is micro-cheating?

What is micro-cheating?

Micro-cheating is the action that is not outright infidelity, but it is not something acceptable either; something you would not want your husband or wife to find out.

This is where the buzzword micro-cheating in a relationship came into being. It is the newest of terms in the world of infidelity restricted to marital or sexual relationships.

As the term itself indicates, micro-cheating refers to the subtle acts that breach the trust of your significant other; however, at a small scale. Such acts may lead to actual cheating in the future.

It is hard to distinguish micro- cheating from regular cheating as every married couple has a different set of rules that they believe should be abided by to keep the boat rowing.

For instance, there may be couples who do not find it right to have contact of any sort with their exes, while it may not be an issue for the rest. Thus, if a person who belongs to the former type contacts their ex, that shall be counted as micro-cheating. 

Therefore, it is all dependent on the matter of how you and your spouse describe cheating in your relationship.

Also Try: What Do You Consider Cheating Quiz

Examples of micro-cheating

What are some micro-cheating examples? There are some behaviors that count as micro-cheating.

Some of the acts that most couples agreed to be labeled as ‘micro-cheating’ in a survey conducted are as follows:

1.  Having an active account on dating sites

Having an active account on tinder or any other dating sites while already in a relationship.

2. Flirting

Flirting with your co-workers or other people other than your wife or husband behind their back.

Is she just being friendly, or flirting with you or someone else? Watch this video to know more.

3. Staying in touch with an ex-partner

Hitting your ex up and secretly being in touch with them can be an example of online infidelity, and also micro-cheating.

Related Reading: The Danger Behind Talking to an Ex While in a Relationship

4. Lying about relationship status

Telling lies about you not being married or committed to anyone on social media generally or in everyday routine life.

Related Reading: How Lies in a Relationship Can Tear Apart Even the Closest of Couples

5. Stalking

Stalking an account that belongs to the gender you are attracted to repeatedly shows great interest.

6. Listing up your contacts with fake names

Listing up your contacts with fake names to conceal something from your partner.

7. Sharing nudes

Sending or asking for nudes from someone other than your partner would be a straight-up example of micro-cheating.

8. Deep association with a person other than your spouse

Having a deep emotional association that is more sexually tinged than a platonic one with a person other than your spouse.

9. Sneaking out

Sneaking out to clubs and midnight parties for interaction with the other gender.

10. Sexting with strangers

What are some micro-cheating texting examples?

Sexting with strangers or with someone that is not your husband or wife counts as micro-cheating too.

Is micro-cheating acceptable?

Micro-cheating is a form of cheating and is as harmful to a relationship as cheating itself is.

It is breaching the trust your spouse had placed in you. This leads to many complications for a couple, and there are chances that they may find it hard to settle things out. Perhaps, mainly because once you lose someone’s trust, it is tough to regain it.

In particular, this may also lead to the divorcing of a couple as some people are very particular when it comes to breaching their trust. Furthermore, micro-cheating can create chances and trigger actual cheating in the future.

Cheating has fairly become common due to a variety of reasons. According to statistics, about 41% of men have either cheated on their partners or have at least thought about doing so. On the contrary, 28% of women have admitted the same.

5 signs of micro-cheating

There are certain behaviors that can give away that your partner is micro-cheating on you. How to identify micro-cheating? Here are some signs.

1. Overly protective of their phone

Do they never leave their phone unattended? Do they hide things on their phone from you? If you see your partner being over-protective of his phone, chances are they are hiding something – messages or pictures that they do not want you to see.

2. They are connected with their exes

They may still be connected with their past lovers on social media. Do they text each other frequently? Do they happen to bump into each other by chance at parties or social events? These could be signs that your partner is micro-cheating on you.

3. They won’t stop talking about this person

Do they mention a colleague too much? Or do they bring up an ex in almost every conversation? They may talk about them a lot or even draw comparisons with you. This could be a sign that they are micro-cheating.

4. They prefer to go to events alone

Office parties, house parties, vacations, or other events – your partner would rather go alone than take you with them. This could be one of the micro-cheating signs.

5. They get defensive when you bring it up

What is micro-cheating and what are its tell-tale signs?

If you ever bring up the subject of micro-cheating or even their behavior, they become defensive. They shut you out, gaslight you, or just deny doing anything of the sorts that you are mentioning.

How to deal with micro-cheating?

Honesty is the best policy. Honesty is the key to save your lovely married life and not fall prey to such things.

Be honest and communicative with your partner.

People who were honest, openly communicative, and non-reactive had very healthy intimacy and never thought about the idea of infidelity, i.e., cheating. It is indeed the lies and aggressiveness that drive a couple apart. Therefore, it is crucial to establish communication to ensure a healthy course in your relationship.

It is also important to define the rules in your marriage – what is considered as cheating and what it not – to ensure that you and your spouse are on the same page.

The takeaway

What is micro-cheating and what does not really depends on the couple themselves. If you both are not on the same page when it comes to defining cheating in your marriage or relationship, it is important to communicate and find a middle ground. 

If you can’t, but still want to work on your marriage together, a professional could help you.