The Emotional Affair

[OmahaBlueDog]

Poll question: The Emotional Affair

http://dating.personals.yahoo.com/singles/relationships/24263/dating-question-are-you-having-an-emotional-affair/;_ylt=AuWdFPdH65f1L72gsa5ygXEazJV4

<<An email here, a smile there. Maybe that 'innocent' friendship with your guy friend isn't so innocent after all...>>

So, if I'm reading this correctly, we can't even think an impure thought anymore, because you might.. maybe act on this.

[Shell Beau]

1. I do think one can have an emotional affair.

I believe it is different than fantasizing about someone. At least my definition of an emotional affair is.

[OmahaBlueDog]

2. So, there can be adultery, absent any physical interaction??

I'm not sure I see that.

[Shell Beau]

4. Not the legal definition of adultery, no.

But I think one can "cheat" in their heart.

[fizzgig]

3. some of those are crap

i have a lot of friends, male and female, who i think would like certain things that i see or hear, doesn't mean i want to be with them. same with the lint thing...i do that to everyone.

emotional affairs are very real and i've had partners engage in that activity. it's not simply about thinking impure thoughts or having a crush on them. it happens when one partner begins to put a third party above the relationship, ie: showing more concern for and interest in the third party than the partner, putting that person's needs above the partner's and generally putting off the partner for the third party. it's about engaging in an emotionally/mentally intimate relationship with a third party while pushing your partner off to the side.

it hurts a lot and i had a very hard time dealing with it.

[cherish44]

5. Well my marriage ended because of an emotional affair

He developed feelings for a woman we had both been friends with for years and said he wanted to be with her. So there ya go.

[Heidi]

6. Hoooo boy. We call it "life."

I'm not sure what "impure" means in your definition, but in my opinion there's nothing "impure" about loving people even on a profoundly emotional level. If I had married or set up household with every person I'd ever had a deep, emotional connection with, I'd be the most divorced woman on earth.

[lost-in-nj]

7. my ex's physical affair

started as an emotional one....
she was married to
but they both made each other "feel" good because they said what the other one wanted to hear...
and not the truth

yeah the exist and I agree with fizgigs
definition

lost

[fizzgig]

10. i've had one partner engage in the emotional affair and another in a one-night stand

the emotional hurt much more than the physical

i hope you're doing well, sweetie :hug:

[redqueen]

11. "the emotional hurt much more than the physical"

That likelihood seems to be something that far too many don't realize.

[redqueen]

8. You're mischaracterizing it.

It's more than just thinking impure thoughts.

[OmahaBlueDog]

9. I don't mean to mischaracterize it; I just can't relate to it

To me, cheating is not a big grey area.

[Blue_Tires]

12. this thread is reminding me of that moronic back-and-forth dialogue

in 'pulp fiction' over whether a foot massage qualified as a sexual advance...