{"id":61115,"date":"2021-01-11T07:58:58","date_gmt":"2021-01-11T07:58:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/?p=61115"},"modified":"2024-04-14T23:43:37","modified_gmt":"2024-04-14T23:43:37","slug":"what-does-being-sneaky-in-a-relationship-mean","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.marriage.com\/advice\/relationship\/what-does-being-sneaky-in-a-relationship-mean\/","title":{"rendered":"What Does Being Sneaky in a Relationship Mean?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

\"Couple<\/p>\n

Lying had an important place in the evolution of our cognition. The complexity of social interactions could be one of the factors we need to thank for our large brains, as the <\/span>social intelligence hypothesis<\/span><\/a> states.<\/span><\/p>\n

Research <\/span><\/a>shows that, on average, a person tells 1.65 lies a day. While most likely, the majority of those lies are harmless. We might think of them differently when they are coming from a person we trust and are involved with.<\/span><\/p>\n

When we recognize that our partner is being sneaky in a relationship, our instinctive reaction would be one of concern.<\/span><\/p>\n

How to know does it mean trouble? What are the sneaky signs of a cheating spouse, and what could count as small lies in a relationship?<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Before we answer those questions, let’s address first what being sneaky in a relationship means.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span>What does being sneaky in a relationship mean?<\/span><\/h2>\n

When we talk about sneaky behavior in adults, we are referring to someone who is trying to get away with something they know they shouldn’t be doing.<\/span><\/p>\n

What does sneaky mean?<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Sneaky refers to the actions of a person who is not being completely truthful and honest, and basically a little sly. It includes situations when a spouse lies about little things, like saying they are in one place when they are not.<\/span><\/p>\n

The meaning of a sneaky person can be interpreted through their behavior. Any form of <\/span>keeping secrets<\/span><\/a> that the person sees as forbidden because they know it can harm the other or the relationship itself can be considered as being sneaky in a relationship.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, not all secret-keeping is wrong, and not all lies need to be sanctioned.<\/span><\/p>\n

What makes a person sneaky? When being sneaky in a relationship goes wrong?<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Sneakiness is usually because the person is trying to keep certain facts hidden from their partner.<\/span><\/p>\n

When the lies are used as a way to cover up something that could hurt or deteriorate the relationship, of course, this means that for each couple, this could mean something else as each partnership has its own set of boundaries on what is forbidden and allowed.<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/span>5 Sneaky signs your partner might be lying<\/span><\/h2>\n

\"Couple<\/p>\n

What are some of the key signs of a sneaky person? <\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

When trying to interpret someone’s behavior, always have a baseline to compare the new, sneaky behavior. <\/span><\/p>\n

Although it might be that some of the behaviors listed here are, in fact, signs of a lying spouse, there is a chance that something else is happening. <\/span><\/p>\n

Before you jump to a negative conclusion, take some time to think about what it could be. <\/span><\/p>\n

1. There is a noticeable change in them<\/b><\/h3>\n

Unusual <\/span>body language<\/span><\/a> can signify many things, among other attempts to be sly and deceive you in some way. It could be that they are going through a lot of stress, dealing with anxiety or something else is preoccupying and worrying them. <\/span><\/p>\n

Don’t jump to conclusions as soon as you notice a change. Try to think of alternative reasons, and <\/span>communicate with your partner<\/span><\/a> without accusations. It might be that they are planning a surprise for you, a proposal, or dealing with something they are not yet ready to share. <\/span><\/p>\n

2. They are being secretive<\/b><\/h3>\n

Are they not answering the phone in front of you, going to the other room to speak, or hiding their phone? There might be something there, and this could be a sign of being sneaky in a relationship. <\/span><\/p>\n

Do you find that they are telling you they will be in one place and then they are not? Perhaps they avoid sharing their whereabouts as much as possible?<\/span><\/p>\n

Every spouse lies about some things at some point, and it could be nothing to concern yourself about. <\/span><\/p>\n

You can probably think of some instances when you did this, and it wasn’t damaging. However, it is worth keeping in mind until you understand why they are resorting to lies in the first place.<\/span><\/p>\n

3. They are protective of their passwords<\/b><\/h3>\n

Have you had access to their devices, and suddenly you don’t? This is one of the red flags that indicate clearly they are being sneaky in a relationship. However, you don’t know yet why that is. <\/span><\/p>\n

Addressing the change that has happened can clear the air and help you be more at peace. When you decide to talk to them, approach them with an open mind, and observe how they react. This leads us to the next sign of being sneaky in a relationship – protectiveness. <\/span><\/p>\n

4. They are defensive<\/b><\/h3>\n

Do they overreact to your questions on their whereabouts or deprive you of the information they once shared willingly? <\/span><\/p>\n

Pay attention to what they say and observe their body language when they are discussing this with you. <\/span><\/p>\n

Twitchy eyes, lip movements, fidgeting, and too much hand gesturing, could indicate further lies and <\/span>sneaky behaviors that are actually unhealthy.<\/b><\/p>\n

In her book <\/span>How to Detect Lies, Fraud and Identity Theft<\/span><\/a>, Traci Brown shares that people who are telling the truth tend to gesture while speaking or before, while people who are being dishonest gesture after sharing the information.<\/span><\/p>\n

In the video below, Susan Carnicero discusses the list that helps identify when the person is lying. She discloses the behavioral screening programs used by the government and is as beneficial in practical life.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n