The key findings
* New research reveals Brits are far more forgiving of digital slip‑ups than physical or emotional betrayals.
* Liking photos and harmless crushes top the list, while emotional affairs rank as the hardest to excuse.
* Experts say the findings show how modern couples draw very different lines between impulsive mistakes and deeper breaches of trust.
* Study conducted by IllicitEncounters.com, the UK’s largest extramarital dating site
New research has revealed the nation’s surprisingly forgiving hierarchy when it comes to infidelity – and it turns out not all cheating is created equal.
The poll of 2,000 Brits conducted by IllicitEncounters.com, the UK’s largest extramarital dating site, asked respondents to choose the single most forgivable form of cheating from a list of seven common betrayals.
At the softer end of the scale, liking photos on social media emerged as the most forgivable behaviour, with 29% of people saying they could let it slide.
18% said they could forgive their partner for having a crush on a work colleague, suggesting that fleeting feelings are seen as human – as long as they don’t turn into action.
Things became murkier when digital behaviour turned more intimate. Flirty texting with an ex was considered forgivable by 15%, while having a dating app profile – even without meeting anyone – was acceptable to 14% of respondents.
Physical cheating proved harder to excuse. Kissing someone else was seen as forgivable by 11%, but only 9% said they could move past a one‑night stand or sex with someone else.
The least forgivable act of all was an emotional affair, with only 4% saying they’d be able to look past it.
Sex and relationship expert at IllicitEncounters.com, Jessica Leoni, believes the findings highlight how differently people define betrayal. “Cheating isn’t a one-size-fits-all concept anymore,” she said. “For some couples, liking a photo is meaningless. For others, it’s the start of a slippery slope. What this research shows is that people draw their red lines in very different places.”
Expert comment from Jessica Leoni
She added that emotional infidelity can sometimes cut deeper than physical acts.“Many people see sex as a moment of weakness, particularly if alcohol or circumstance is involved,” Jessica explained. “But emotional affairs require time, secrecy and sustained investment. That’s often why they feel more threatening – they suggest a partner’s attention and affection are being redirected.”
One 34-year-old woman from Manchester, who asked not to be named, said she chose to forgive her husband after he admitted to a drunken one-night stand.
“It was devastating at first,” she said. “But when we talked it through, I realised it hadn’t been about feelings – it was a stupid decision in a single moment. What would have hurt more is if he’d been confiding in someone else for months behind my back.”
Leoni added that forgiveness often depends on context. “People are more likely to forgive something they can rationalise,” she said. “If it feels impulsive, they may see it as salvageable. But if it feels calculated or emotionally invested, it can be harder to come back from.”
Results
Which of these do you consider the most forgivable?
- Liking photos on social media 29%
- Having a crush on a work colleague 18%
- Flirty texting with an ex 15%
- Having a dating app profile 14%
- Kissing someone else 11%
- Sex with someone else 9%
- An emotional affair 4%
Further Reading
- Why Do People Cheat? The Real Reasons Affairs Happen
- Physical Intimacy vs Emotional Intimacy: Which One Are You Missing?
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