When people flirt, are they cheating on their partners? This question raises many debates and different opinions in different cultures. The latest much-discussed case is that of Adam Levine, who publicly admitted that he had "crossed the line" by communicating with someone who is not his wife in a slightly flirtatious manner. And what is this measure? Is it equally acceptable or unacceptable to everyone?

All of us, there are great chances that if we interact first in a friendly way, then in suspicious communication, then flirtatious... we will reach full betrayal. A friendly "chat" is different from a flirtatious "chat", a flirtatious "chat" is different from an intimate message, and at the same time, all of these are something other than sex. 

So what is the line between harmless flirting and cheating?

In fact, according to studies, people almost universally agree that physical contact or oral sex with someone who is not their partner is cheating. Others agree that any other type of erotic activity with someone who is not the partner, even if it does not result in sex, is called cheating. Another part is of the opinion that kissing, intimate touches, exchanges of sexual messages, etc. is also treason!

What we expect from our partner can be different from what we allow ourselves to do anyway. For example, there are those partners who allow themselves to become emotionally involved with someone beyond their partner, but if the other party does this they consider it a betrayal. Hypocrisy greatly affects the judgment of permissible or impermissible behavior. In either case, we must remember that romantic relationships have a context of dependence. The behavior of one of the partners, thoughts, emotions, etc. affect the other and vice versa. Therefore, how we interact with those who are not our partners affects the health of the relationship and requires double work to restore trust and harmony between you.

Source: Psychology Today