Is it still cheating?

United States
February 24, 2007 8:07pm CST
My husband and I have been seperated for a few months now. And last night was the first time I have been out without any kids since Sept. of last yr. And did I have a good time. Well, this guy that is a friend of my brother was out and I slow danced with him once. He knows I'm married and he still asked me to dance. But, now I feel bad. Nothing happened but that one dance and that was it. I felt like I cheated on my husband. Do you think it's still cheating even though we are not together? Should feel bad??? Oh and thank everyone who answers my discussions ahead of time!!!
8 people like this
46 responses
@zenmachado (1617)
• United States
25 Feb 07
I dont see how that could be considered cheating even by prudish regulations. Yet, the way that you are feeling suggest more that you feel that you betrayed you husband by your actions. Dancing is hardly an act of disloyalty considering the fact that you are separated. One thing that you should do, is consider the situation in a severly searious way, and come to a decision. You have to deside if you are going to break the romantic link with your husband or if reconsiliation is in order. Eighter way, dancing is not cheating, but if you escalate your behavior into more intimate actions, you may find yourself doing things that may be considered cheating.
3 people like this
• United States
25 Feb 07
you gave a great answer to this lady, and i agree with you. she needs to get a life of her own.
1 person likes this
• Canada
25 Feb 07
No this is definitely not cheating , you are no longer together so even if you had done more then that it still would not be considered cheating . I can say this as I have been cheated on in the past but would not have felt that I had been cheated on if we were not together . All you did was go out and have a good time and you probably needed that , so don't worry about something that never even happened . All the best !!
3 people like this
• Canada
25 Feb 07
You definetly have not cheated on your husband even if you were still together. Dancing is not cheating. My wife and I go out dancing and sometimes we dance with other people too. There is nothing wrong with dancing with other people whether you are seperated or still together. So have fun and don't feel guilty.
2 people like this
@cripfemme (7698)
• United States
26 Feb 07
It depends on what agreement you and your husband had about the rules of relationship while separated actually. Although, in my opinion, one dance is no big deal.
• Philippines
26 Feb 07
I don't think it is cheating if you are already separated. Are you still thinking you'll get back together again? If you have been separated already for a few months maybe it's better off for you to see other people again..and i don't think dancing with another guy is cheating.
2 people like this
@mikncas (73)
• United States
26 Feb 07
NO, you have not cheated and have no reason to feel guilty. You have chosen to move on with your life when you seperated you need to decide if it is final or not if it is move on and try not to dwell on the past. Life is to short...
2 people like this
• Philippines
26 Feb 07
Hmmm, I think the reason why you probably feel bad about what happened is that you actually came to like your brother's friend. You began to think about him, that's why you feel guilty. And you still haven't gotten over your husband, and you still love him. But nothing happened. And that's all there is to it. Feeling/thinking and actually giving it to them are two different things. Thoughts and feelings come to us but we have our own free will. We can't control our feelings or thoughts, they just come to us. But if we know how to control these, we have nothing to feel guilty about. But if we give in to our feelings which we know would hurt someone else, that's the time to feel guilty. We are masters of ourselves. Have a nice day!
2 people like this
@Polly1 (12645)
• United States
25 Feb 07
Nope thats not cheating. I am glad you had a good time, now stop feeling guilty.
2 people like this
• United States
25 Feb 07
If you are seperated then no i don't think that is cheating. Seperation I think is when you are still married but need time apart to see if things can work or not. Your husband may be doing the exact same thing. Just make sure you know what you want before doing to much more.
2 people like this
@ESKARENA1 (18261)
25 Feb 07
in my humble opi9nion you have not cheated, you have started to heal and to move on. However, maybe you have started to feel bad because you want him back? Even if this is the case you are still entitled to a life and should feel no guilt at all, blessed be
2 people like this
• Philippines
26 Feb 07
it is not cheating anymore coz you are not been together With your husband..
2 people like this
@KrisNY (7590)
• United States
25 Feb 07
Dancing-- cheating?? Of course not.. Even if you were happily married and your husband was there-- it wouldn't be cheating- Dancing is just dancing! Fun.. I'm so glad you went out and had some fun-- Thats a super long time to go out for an adult night- What's going on with your husband? Separated going through divorce or just trying to work things out? Good luck with which ever it is..
• Canada
25 Feb 07
If you and your husband have separated with no hope of getting back together then I don't see that its cheating. Cheating would be if you danced with this guy and were still in a loving relationship with your husband. A lot of people have this question it seems. They're separated from their partners and then they go out and have a good time, and then feel guilty because of a technicality that means they're still married. I wouldn't feel too bad about it to be honest. You and your husband have separated and you have every right to go out and enjoy yourself.
2 people like this
• Canada
25 Feb 07
Please don't feel any guilt on this matter moms need to smile and have some happiness too,I'm glad to hear u have had a wonderful time....A break for a mother only happens rarely enjoying it is not a crime and dancing with another man after a seperation is not cheating even though u are still married... Married couples do this all the time while they are together on a outing it's a part of relaxing and enjoying life
• China
25 Feb 07
In your opinion dance with a man is very important things,but in our country,its very normal thing.don't feel bad.But you should confirm that you don't love him.only a friend relationship is well.
2 people like this
@gabs8513 (48686)
• United Kingdom
25 Feb 07
No it is not cheating you are seperated, so you have no reason to feel bad. Start enjoying your Life again and get on with it. You have not done anything wrong, you are only still married on Paper, but you are entitled to do as you please.
2 people like this
@nangel78 (1454)
• United States
25 Feb 07
That is not cheating. Nothing happened and you were separated. I would not be concerned about it.
2 people like this
• Saint Vincent And The Grenadines
25 Feb 07
If you're not together anymore it's not cheating...if you're giving yourself a bit of time but you haven't broken up like forever, then it's different, but still not cheating. In this second case i think it's not a good idea cause doing something with someone else won't clear your mind out at all, it'll make things worse. But if it's the first case and you two are not an item anymore i don't think it's cheating, no matter if doing things with another person is the best idea or not.
2 people like this
@healer (1779)
• India
25 Feb 07
I don't think its cheating as you are now over with your husband. But it depends sometimes on how you broke up with your husband. And i think if you feel its cheating than i think you still love him so, you have to think about it seriously. If you still have that feeling with that you are cheating on your husband even if you are departed then the question arises WHY?. But if its not like that thn its ok to go out and be loved by someone. We need care and love so please search for it
2 people like this
@wisedragon (2325)
• Philippines
25 Feb 07
The fact that you're wondering if it's cheating means there is still a possibility of reconciliation with your husband. I would suggest that you make a final decision about that. Do you want to get back together with your husband or not? If yes, then work on it. If no, then officially end the marriage so you can move on. Being in an ambiguous situation will really confuse you. As for the dancing that you did, I don't think that can be considered cheating.
• Ireland
25 Feb 07
No, I don't think you have cheated. Your separated a few months now and sure all you did was dance, it's not like it was anything more. Also for all you know your husband could be going through the same thing. I think it is a good thing you got out after not being out without kids since Sept.
2 people like this