The link doesn't work for me, but cheating is cheating.

What's with the semantics? It's either cheating or it's not. I'm sure different people have different standards in what they think is cheating though, but there is no such thing as "micro cheating" just like there is no such thing as "micro death" or "micro eating". You're either dead or alive, eating or not eating, or cheating or not cheating. Can I define micro cheating as a girl other than my girlfriend or wife just kissing the head of my penis or does she have to put the whole thing in her mouth? There are different shades, but if I'm in a bad mood and don't bother anyone it's still me being in a bad mood even if I were otherwise to physically assault someone. Or the other way around if I assault someone whether or not I'm happy or mad then I still assaulted someone.

I don't agree that those things are cheating. There is a reason for sexual fidelity to not give your partner STDs. Forming human relationships is part of life. Sometimes attractions happen.

Oh, for fuck's sake.

I struggle to understand why sexual fidelity is treated so strictly. I feel like fidelity is far more than just not having sex with another person. I would include a whole lot of other behaviors, such as dividing housework fairly, showing respect, mutually working it problems, and so forth. It seems so strange to me for people to get so upset over the partner having sex with someone else but overlook a whole lot of other infidelities. It is a problem if you have an understanding in the relationship that you will be sexually faithful to each other but I don't think it should be taken as seriously as it is.

Most people in relationships believe they can provide all their partner's sexual needs, less so their intellectual needs, but outwardly claim to their partner small diversions are ok, why? Because their partner doesn't provide all these things for them. Here's the paradox, there is always some damage when the diversions are revealed. Always. Communication is the cure but we are all a million throws of the emotional dice and logic doesn't always prevail even with the most stable relationships. If you are thinking I have a wise solution you would be mistaken, I only point out the obvious.

Strikes me as a "political correctness" term.

Why would one want that much control over someone they love?

not machines and all need some excitement in our lives if the intention is to hurt thats 1 thing if its a harmless aside where no damage is done thats another we live one life and hopefully try to hurt as little as possible and enjoy where we can

I thought you meant something else entirely.

It looks like I am in the minority here. I agree with the article. When a couple has agreed-upon boundaries, and they are breached, it does damage.

If a couple agrees that participating in activities described in the article is harmless, it would not be cheating.

If a couple has openly talked over and defined what they consider cheating, and one person breaches those boundaries, it’s cheating.

oh jealousy. it's ridiculous. people who love each other should not hold each other prisoner.

g

Oh FFS!

The Mindset that accompanies cheating is the problem....you have obviously done a stealth withdrawal from your relationship without letting the SO know (altho they have a sad, hollow feeling but Don't know why, I can testify!)

Stuff like this REALLY bugs me. It reinforces the insane idea that ones partner should meet all your social needs. People bothered by their partners having social connections to others are signing themselves and their partners up for an unhappy life. Smh

Is this when you cheat on your SO with a little person?