We’re not talking about the sort of cheating that kids do in exams but the sort of cheating that goes on in relationships: infidelity, unfaithfulness, betrayal. Micro cheating is one subtype of cheating. It is something that we now see in the internet age when private chatting and messaging apps facilitate betrayal in all but the physical sense. Check out this micro-cheating ready reckoner to find out whether you're a micro cheater.
Too much attention to your phone --- checking it frequently, being online for extended periods, maybe taking too much time in the bathroom with the phone or texting at odd times of the day or night. These could mean an inordinate amount of interest in someone else (person or persons).
If you aren’t paying the usual amount of attention to people around and seem distracted about things that usually interest you, this could also be a cause for concern.
Maybe you're smiling and laughing into the phone a bit too much. If you're so into your phone that you start to ignore real people around, this could be a sign of micro cheating.
If asked what’s so funny or something similar, you fob if off with a nothing; or say something that appears insincere. For instance when asked why you're smiling and you say something like – I was reading the news. Doesn’t quite fit.
Perhaps you don’t tell your significant other exactly where you are or what you are doing when you speak to them. Being generally secretive, being possessive of the phone and never leaving it unattended, hurriedly shutting a laptop or switching tabs on a desktop… such behaviour can be troubling and will send out the signal that there is something to hide.
Have you recently been spending time taking lots of selfies and posting flattering pictures of yourself online and making profound statements that you didn’t earlier? Have you been trying to impress or win the approval of someone specific?
Maybe you have developed some new interests, maybe you're shopping for a lot of new clothes, or getting a makeover. This could indicate an enhanced interest in someone other than your significant other.
Regardless of all that is listed above try not to be too suspicious or paranoid of your partner or significant other. There could be simple explanations for their behaviour and it is best not to snoop in or violate their privacy (yes there can be privacy in the most intimate of relationships). Remember having meaningful friendships or common interests with colleagues is not cheating, and it is important to always guard against becoming paranoid and unnecessarily suspicious.
The important thing is to keep communicating and to clarify what you find bothersome or worrying. As long as you both are on the same page as to what constitutes cheating (or micro-cheating) things should be alright.
Do you have something interesting you would like to share? Write to us at [email protected]
