Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:The only difference between the two to me is duration. An affair connotes ongoing, repeated, long-term cheating. And really I only make this distinction when pressed, I think most people view and use them interchangeably.
I think that's right.
When someone says "he cheated on me" I don't reach a conclusion as to whether it's a one night stand or a long term thing. It *does* mean he had sex. I don't think people say "he cheated on me" to describe an emotional affair.
If someone says "he had an affair," I hear that as a relationship, more than a one-night-stand. I think most times I'd conclude there was sex, and that they'd say "emotional affair" if that's what they meant.
Both are infidelity. Both are adultery. I think many people could forgive a one night stand as a slip-up. A long-term affair involves long-term deceit, which might end it for many more people.
Anonymous wrote:The only difference between the two to me is duration. An affair connotes ongoing, repeated, long-term cheating. And really I only make this distinction when pressed, I think most people view and use them interchangeably.
Anonymous wrote:I am interest in what other people think of as an affair vs. cheating.
I kind of view an affair as an emotional relationship that goes physical.
Cheating is any exchange of bodily fluids. Cheating can be anything from an affair to a ONS to a 'happy ending'.
By my definition an affair is a bigger issue than cheating (since it includes cheating, but cheating may not be emotional).
Anonymous wrote:I am interest in what other people think of as an affair vs. cheating.
I kind of view an affair as an emotional relationship that goes physical.
Cheating is any exchange of bodily fluids. Cheating can be anything from an affair to a ONS to a 'happy ending'.
By my definition an affair is a bigger issue than cheating (since it includes cheating, but cheating may not be emotional).