Posted on Dec 21, 2021

Let's Argue About Whether Or Not These 11 Situations Are Cheating

Maybe next time he'll think before he cheats.

by Kelly Martinez

BuzzFeed Staff

Below are several imaginary relationship stories. Your job is to vote on whether or not you think the behavior in the scenario is cheating. Assume all relationships here are monogamous unless stated otherwise. Have fun!

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1. Seth goes to a New Year's Eve party with his friends while his girlfriend Summer stays home. After a couple of drinks, he kisses someone else at midnight. He feels bad and tells Summer about it immediately the next day. Is this cheating?

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Yes, this is cheating. Seth may have confessed, but it was still unfaithful.

Yes, this is cheating. Seth may have confessed, but it was still unfaithful.

No, it's not cheating. Seth told Summer right away.

No, it's not cheating. Seth told Summer right away.

Hmm, it's a gray area.

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1. Seth goes to a New Year's Eve party with his friends while his girlfriend Summer stays home. After a couple of drinks, he kisses someone else at midnight. He feels bad and tells Summer about it immediately the next day. Is this cheating?

vote votes

Yes, this is cheating. Seth may have confessed, but it was still unfaithful.
vote votes

No, it's not cheating. Seth told Summer right away.
vote votes

Hmm, it's a gray area.

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2. After a fight, Betty tells her girlfriend Veronica she "needs some space" for a while. Veronica assumes they're on a break. After not hearing from Betty for two days, Veronica hooks up with an old fling, Cheryl. Is this cheating?

Getty Images

Yes, this is cheating. They never said they were on a break.

Yes, this is cheating. They never said they were on a break.

No, it's not cheating. It was reasonable of Veronica to assume they weren't together.

No, it's not cheating. It was reasonable of Veronica to assume they weren't together.

Hmm, it's a gray area.

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2. After a fight, Betty tells her girlfriend Veronica she "needs some space" for a while. Veronica assumes they're on a break. After not hearing from Betty for two days, Veronica hooks up with an old fling, Cheryl. Is this cheating?

vote votes

Yes, this is cheating. They never said they were on a break.
vote votes

No, it's not cheating. It was reasonable of Veronica to assume they weren't together.
vote votes

Hmm, it's a gray area.

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3. Brenda and her boyfriend Dylan go to a club with some friends. At one point, Brenda overhears Dylan being very flirty with her friend Kelly and telling her that he would "totally hook up with her if he were single." Is this cheating?r

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Yes, this is cheating. Flirting can be cheating.

Yes, this is cheating. Flirting can be cheating.

No, it's not cheating. It's disrespectful, but it's not cheating.

No, it's not cheating. It's disrespectful, but it's not cheating.

Hmm, it's a gray area.

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3. Brenda and her boyfriend Dylan go to a club with some friends. At one point, Brenda overhears Dylan being very flirty with her friend Kelly and telling her that he would "totally hook up with her if he were single." Is this cheating?r

vote votes

Yes, this is cheating. Flirting can be cheating.
vote votes

No, it's not cheating. It's disrespectful, but it's not cheating.
vote votes

Hmm, it's a gray area.

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4. Mona borrows her girlfriend Hannah's phone to make a quick call. While she's using her phone, Mona notices Hannah still has Tinder. Hannah says she just goes on there to swipe when she's bored, but that she'd never meet up with anyone. Is this cheating?

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Yes, this is cheating. Hannah isn't respecting her partner.

Yes, this is cheating. Hannah isn't respecting her partner.

No, it's not cheating. It's just an app; Hannah's never done anything physical.

No, it's not cheating. It's just an app; Hannah's never done anything physical.

Hmm, it's a gray area.

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4. Mona borrows her girlfriend Hannah's phone to make a quick call. While she's using her phone, Mona notices Hannah still has Tinder. Hannah says she just goes on there to swipe when she's bored, but that she'd never meet up with anyone. Is this cheating?

vote votes

Yes, this is cheating. Hannah isn't respecting her partner.
vote votes

No, it's not cheating. It's just an app; Hannah's never done anything physical.
vote votes

Hmm, it's a gray area.

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5. Spencer has been dating his boyfriend Asher for over a year. Whenever Spencer's ex, Olivia, is in town, they meet for dinner. They never hook up, but Spencer doesn't tell Asher about these meet-ups, nor does he mention Asher to Olivia. Is this cheating?

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Yes, this is cheating. There's a reason Spencer hasn't been honest.

Yes, this is cheating. There's a reason Spencer hasn't been honest.

No, it's not cheating. They're just two friends catching up.

No, it's not cheating. They're just two friends catching up.

Hmm, it's a gray area.

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5. Spencer has been dating his boyfriend Asher for over a year. Whenever Spencer's ex, Olivia, is in town, they meet for dinner. They never hook up, but Spencer doesn't tell Asher about these meet-ups, nor does he mention Asher to Olivia. Is this cheating?

vote votes

Yes, this is cheating. There's a reason Spencer hasn't been honest.
vote votes

No, it's not cheating. They're just two friends catching up.
vote votes

Hmm, it's a gray area.

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6. Josie goes to her cousin's wedding. Her girlfriend Finch can't make it, so she takes her friend Hope as her date. They don't do anything except dance together. She doesn't tell Finch Hope was her date until after the wedding. Is this cheating?

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Yes, this is cheating. Josie should have asked Finch's permission first.

Yes, this is cheating. Josie should have asked Finch's permission first.

No, it's not cheating. Finch couldn't come to the wedding, so Josie simply took a friend instead.

No, it's not cheating. Finch couldn't come to the wedding, so Josie simply took a friend instead.

Hmm, it's a gray area.

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6. Josie goes to her cousin's wedding. Her girlfriend Finch can't make it, so she takes her friend Hope as her date. They don't do anything except dance together. She doesn't tell Finch Hope was her date until after the wedding. Is this cheating?

vote votes

Yes, this is cheating. Josie should have asked Finch's permission first.
vote votes

No, it's not cheating. Finch couldn't come to the wedding, so Josie simply took a friend instead.
vote votes

Hmm, it's a gray area.

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7. Carla and Polo are in a semi-open relationship. They have agreed that they can hook up with other people, but need to ask the other person ahead of time if it's okay. Polo hooks up with someone else and doesn't tell Carla until after. Is this cheating?

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Yes, this is cheating. Their relationship had clear rules and Polo violated them.

Yes, this is cheating. Their relationship had clear rules and Polo violated them.

No, this isn't cheating. If they're open to hooking up with other people, what does it matter if Polo didn't tell Carla until after?

No, this isn't cheating. If they're open to hooking up with other people, what does it matter if Polo didn't tell Carla until after?

Hmm, it's a gray area.

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7. Carla and Polo are in a semi-open relationship. They have agreed that they can hook up with other people, but need to ask the other person ahead of time if it's okay. Polo hooks up with someone else and doesn't tell Carla until after. Is this cheating?

vote votes

Yes, this is cheating. Their relationship had clear rules and Polo violated them.
vote votes

No, this isn't cheating. If they're open to hooking up with other people, what does it matter if Polo didn't tell Carla until after?
vote votes

Hmm, it's a gray area.

View Results View Results Go Back And Vote Go Back And Vote

8. Tina is happily engaged to her partner, Jimmy. She likes to write erotic fanfiction about her favorite TV characters in her spare time for fun, but she's never told Jimmy. She often asks her online friends for feedback on the sex scenes. Is this cheating?

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Yes, this is cheating. Tina does this with other people without her partner knowing.

Yes, this is cheating. Tina does this with other people without her partner knowing.

No, it's not cheating. It's fiction.

No, it's not cheating. It's fiction.

Hmm, it's a gray area.

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8. Tina is happily engaged to her partner, Jimmy. She likes to write erotic fanfiction about her favorite TV characters in her spare time for fun, but she's never told Jimmy. She often asks her online friends for feedback on the sex scenes. Is this cheating?

vote votes

Yes, this is cheating. Tina does this with other people without her partner knowing.
vote votes

No, it's not cheating. It's fiction.
vote votes

Hmm, it's a gray area.

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9. Frankie and Esme have been seeing each other for a couple of months, but haven't defined their relationship yet. One night, Frankie goes to a restaurant and sees Esme on a date with someone else. Is this cheating?

Getty Images

Yes, this is cheating. If they've been seeing each other for months, it should be a given that they aren't going out with other people.

Yes, this is cheating. If they've been seeing each other for months, it should be a given that they aren't going out with other people.

No, it's not cheating. They haven't said they're exclusive yet, so they can both do what they want.

No, it's not cheating. They haven't said they're exclusive yet, so they can both do what they want.

Hmm, it's a gray area.

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9. Frankie and Esme have been seeing each other for a couple of months, but haven't defined their relationship yet. One night, Frankie goes to a restaurant and sees Esme on a date with someone else. Is this cheating?

vote votes

Yes, this is cheating. If they've been seeing each other for months, it should be a given that they aren't going out with other people.
vote votes

No, it's not cheating. They haven't said they're exclusive yet, so they can both do what they want.
vote votes

Hmm, it's a gray area.

View Results View Results Go Back And Vote Go Back And Vote

10. Luke is married to Brooke, but has long calls on the phone every weekend with his ex, Peyton. They vent to each other for hours and often discuss things Luke doesn't even tell Brooke. Brooke doesn't know about the calls. Is this cheating?

Getty Images

Yes, this is cheating. It's emotional cheating.

Yes, this is cheating. It's emotional cheating.

No, it's not cheating. They aren't doing anything physical.

No, it's not cheating. They aren't doing anything physical.

Hmm, it's a gray area.

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10. Luke is married to Brooke, but has long calls on the phone every weekend with his ex, Peyton. They vent to each other for hours and often discuss things Luke doesn't even tell Brooke. Brooke doesn't know about the calls. Is this cheating?

vote votes

Yes, this is cheating. It's emotional cheating.
vote votes

No, it's not cheating. They aren't doing anything physical.
vote votes

Hmm, it's a gray area.

View Results View Results Go Back And Vote Go Back And Vote

11. Finally, Ernie's boyfriend Bert has been in a coma for three months after a tragic car accident. It's unclear if he'll ever wake up. One night, Ernie hooks up with someone else. Bert miraculously comes out of his coma the next day. Is this cheating?

Getty Images

Yes, this is cheating. Ernie was still in a relationship.

Yes, this is cheating. Ernie was still in a relationship.

No, it's not cheating. Ernie didn't know if Bert would ever wake up.

No, it's not cheating. Ernie didn't know if Bert would ever wake up.

UHHH. I DON'T KNOW.

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11. Finally, Ernie's boyfriend Bert has been in a coma for three months after a tragic car accident. It's unclear if he'll ever wake up. One night, Ernie hooks up with someone else. Bert miraculously comes out of his coma the next day. Is this cheating?

vote votes

Yes, this is cheating. Ernie was still in a relationship.
vote votes

No, it's not cheating. Ernie didn't know if Bert would ever wake up.
vote votes

UHHH. I DON'T KNOW.

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Let's Argue About Whether Or Not These 11 Situations Are Cheating

Below are several imaginary relationship stories. Your job is to vote on whether or not you think the behavior in the scenario is cheating. Assume all relationships here are monogamous unless stated otherwise. Have fun!

1. Seth goes to a New Year's Eve party with his friends while his girlfriend Summer stays home. After a couple of drinks, he kisses someone else at midnight. He feels bad and tells Summer about it immediately the next day. Is this cheating?

2. After a fight, Betty tells her girlfriend Veronica she "needs some space" for a while. Veronica assumes they're on a break. After not hearing from Betty for two days, Veronica hooks up with an old fling, Cheryl. Is this cheating?

3. Brenda and her boyfriend Dylan go to a club with some friends. At one point, Brenda overhears Dylan being very flirty with her friend Kelly and telling her that he would "totally hook up with her if he were single." Is this cheating?r

4. Mona borrows her girlfriend Hannah's phone to make a quick call. While she's using her phone, Mona notices Hannah still has Tinder. Hannah says she just goes on there to swipe when she's bored, but that she'd never meet up with anyone. Is this cheating?

5. Spencer has been dating his boyfriend Asher for over a year. Whenever Spencer's ex, Olivia, is in town, they meet for dinner. They never hook up, but Spencer doesn't tell Asher about these meet-ups, nor does he mention Asher to Olivia. Is this cheating?

6. Josie goes to her cousin's wedding. Her girlfriend Finch can't make it, so she takes her friend Hope as her date. They don't do anything except dance together. She doesn't tell Finch Hope was her date until after the wedding. Is this cheating?

7. Carla and Polo are in a semi-open relationship. They have agreed that they can hook up with other people, but need to ask the other person ahead of time if it's okay. Polo hooks up with someone else and doesn't tell Carla until after. Is this cheating?

8. Tina is happily engaged to her partner, Jimmy. She likes to write erotic fanfiction about her favorite TV characters in her spare time for fun, but she's never told Jimmy. She often asks her online friends for feedback on the sex scenes. Is this cheating?

9. Frankie and Esme have been seeing each other for a couple of months, but haven't defined their relationship yet. One night, Frankie goes to a restaurant and sees Esme on a date with someone else. Is this cheating?

10. Luke is married to Brooke, but has long calls on the phone every weekend with his ex, Peyton. They vent to each other for hours and often discuss things Luke doesn't even tell Brooke. Brooke doesn't know about the calls. Is this cheating?

11. Finally, Ernie's boyfriend Bert has been in a coma for three months after a tragic car accident. It's unclear if he'll ever wake up. One night, Ernie hooks up with someone else. Bert miraculously comes out of his coma the next day. Is this cheating?

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