Let’s talk flirting. Personally, my skills are stuck at the level of a fourth grader. I can’t manage the art of batting my eyelashes or slipping someone my number without feeling ridiculous. Honestly, I’d feel more at home playfully shoving someone into a snowbank while shouting, “Who’s the king of the mountain now?!” To me, that’s the epitome of charm.
Clearly, I’m not exactly a flirting pro, and there are certainly folks who have mastered it. But here’s the real question: does flirting equal cheating? The answer? A resounding no.
I’m puzzled by all the fuss. If we’re going to label flirting as cheating, we need to define cheating first. I’d love for someone to clarify that for me. Merriam-Webster defines cheating as “being sexually unfaithful,” which just leads you down a confusing path of vague terms like “sexual” and “unfaithful.” Seriously, I’m starting to dislike you, Merriam, and you too, Webster.
Then there’s Linda, who throws a wrench in the works by saying, “If it feels like cheating to you, then it is.” So, are we saying that if your partner gets uncomfortable when you innocently squeeze a melon at the grocery store, suddenly that’s cheating? Or if you’re glued to the TV watching the hottest member of the Wiggles, is that suspect too? It seems like some people could interpret infidelity in just about anything.
One opinion I came across was from a guy in a tank top who claimed “flirting is like trying on a single hat while in a relationship.” While that might apply in some situations, it begs the question: without a clear definition of cheating, how can we agree on what flirting is? Spoiler alert: we can’t.
Interestingly, they say there are five types of flirting: the Playful Flirt, who loves banter; the Physical Flirt, who leans in and plays with their hair; the Traditional Flirt, often shy; the Sincere Flirt, who talks literature with you; and the Polite Flirt, who keeps things respectful while building rapport. While the first two resonate with my understanding of flirting, the rest leave me scratching my head. Who finds polite book discussions enticing?
Urban Dictionary only complicates things further. One entry describes a flirt as someone overly friendly in a way that suggests seduction, with actions like giving out your number or blowing kisses. Another suggests “dinking around” with the opposite sex. When you combine innocent compliments with, say, a little lap dance, it’s clear the definition of flirting is all over the place.
So, can we really say flirting is cheating? That’s as nonsensical as equating a friendly game of mahjong with infidelity. Sure, toss in some wild moves, and it might get steamy, but it can also just be a harmless game. It all depends on the context.
To wrap it up, my husband insists I’m a relentless flirt, but I can’t see it—unless playfully poking someone counts. His claim just shows he’s as clueless about flirting as the rest of us. Case closed.
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In summary, flirting and cheating are not the same. Understanding what constitutes flirting can vary widely, but it doesn’t inherently equate to betrayal.
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