“What’s The Wildest Cheating Story You’ve Witnessed Or Happened To You?” (30 Answers)

To learn more about infidelity, we contacted dr Janneke M. Schokkenbroek, a postdoctoral researcher at Delft University of Technology and Inholland University of Applied Sciences, the Netherlands.

"When it comes to cheating, there are a lot of misconceptions," Schokkenbroek told Bored Panda. The first one is cheating is always about sex. Not true!

"Emotional cheating is just as real and, for many, even more painful. This happens when someone forms a deep emotional connection with someone else, sharing personal thoughts, dreams, and vulnerabilities. It's not always physical, but it can still feel like a betrayal because it undermines the emotional intimacy that’s supposed to be exclusive to the relationship," explained. Schokkenbroek

"What makes emotional cheating so tricky is how easy it is to dismiss. It often starts as and looks like 'just a friendship,' but over time, boundaries blur. If secrecy creeps in, or if your partner starts prioritizing someone else over you emotionally, it might be time for a tough conversation."

Another popular myth, according to Schokkenbroek, is that cheating means you're unhappy in your relationship.

"Sure, being dissatisfied in your relationship can lead to infidelity, but it's not always that simple. Sometimes, people in happy relationships cheat too — maybe because they crave novelty, excitement, or validation," she explained.

"The idea that 'if someone cheats, they don't love their partner' isn't always true. You can genuinely love your partner and still be drawn to someone else, often for entirely different reasons, like a spark of excitement or sexual attraction."

"Of course, this doesn't make it okay," Schokkenbroek added. "Cheating is still a betrayal of trust. It crosses (spoken or unspoken) couples' boundaries and can deeply harm the relationship. Whether it's due to unhappiness or not, infidelity is a wake-up call that something — in the relationship and/or within the person cheating — needs attention."

One more stereotype that Schokkenbroek would like to disappear is the notion that 'the other woman' is the villain and the homewrecker.

"Not only does this phrase unfairly paint the secondary partner as the villain, but it also shifts focus away from the cheater's responsibility," she said. "Plus, calling them 'the other woman' is outdated and gendered — secondary partners can be men, non-binary people, anyone."

"In reality, these situations are rarely black and white. Sometimes the secondary partner doesn't even know they're someone's secondary, or they genuinely fall for the cheater and find themselves in a very painful and complex situation, which often comes with a lot of heartbreak for them too. Instead of vilifying them, let’s use neutral terms like 'secondary partner' that better reflect the nuances involved."

A 2022 survey found that one-third (33%) of Americans admit to cheating cheated — either physically, emotionally, or both.

However, only 57% of cheaters were caught, meaning 43% have managed to keep their infidelity a secret.

In most cases (71%), Americans who cheated did not want their partners to find out about it.

Schokkenbroek believes that no single action screams, "Oh no, my partner's cheating!" but there are some things that can stand out:

1. They've gotten secretive. "Maybe they’re guarding their phone more, changing their passwords, or overall appearing more protective of their privacy."
2. There's emotional distance. "If they seem more disconnected, irritable, or overly critical, they might be emotionally investing elsewhere."
3. Unexplained time away. "Late nights, vague excuses, or 'busy' weekends could be a sign.
4. A new focus on appearance. "If they’re more often hitting the gym or dressing up without a clear reason, it might raise an eyebrow."
5. "Changes in sexual behavior. "Whether their interest spikes or drops, it’s worth paying attention."
6. And, of course, 'souvenirs,' like unexplained bills, or unfamiliar items and smells...

"That said, please note that a list of 'red flags' suggests that these things are instantly noticeable, but such relationship dynamics often shift slowly and naturally over time," Schokkenbroek highlighted. "Changes in behavior often warrant a conversation rather than immediate suspicion. Open communication is always the first step before jumping to conclusions."