Being in a long-distance relationship has its ups and downs.
Apart from the lack of physical intimacy and irregular communication, LDR couples have to deal with trust issues, high travel costs, and extreme loneliness.
For people who crave frequent physical touch, it can be difficult to cope without a romantic partner for a long time.
As a result of this, they may cheat with someone else and not tell their significant other.
Research indicates that 20% of men and 13% of women admitted to having an affair with someone while married.
If you’re dating someone who is far away from you, there is a slight chance that they may sleep with another person who’s easily accessible to them.
A recent survey of 7,000 Americans revealed that about 22% of people in long-distance relationships have had an affair and LDR couples who visit each other regularly are less likely to cheat.
So, how can you tell if your partner is sleeping with other people?
Some common signs of cheating in a long-distance relationship include not contacting you regularly, sounding cold on the phone, and becoming aggressive all of a sudden.
In this article, we’ll show you how to tell if someone is cheating in a long-distance relationship.
HOW TO TELL IF SOMEONE IS CHEATING IN A LONG DISTANCE RELATIONSHIP
When a significant other is guilty of infidelity, they exhibit a few noticeable signs and if you observe closely, you’ll know if they’re being unfaithful.
Here are 12 telltale signs your long-distance partner is cheating on you with someone else.
1. They never complain about the lack of physical intimacy
The most common problem long-distance couples struggle with in their relationship is lack of intimacy.
If you notice that your partner no longer complains about the lack of physical intimacy, they may be getting their intimate needs met by someone else.
Of course, some people engage in self-pleasure on a regular basis. However, the need for physical touch is often strong enough to make them complain from time to time.
2. They don’t call or text often anymore
Another major problem long-distance couples encounter is a lack of frequent communication due to busy schedules and different time zones.
However, romantic couples who are committed to making their relationship work put in significant effort to connect with each other often.
If your long-distance partner suddenly stops calling or texting you, it’s a sign that they’re losing interest or falling out of love with you because they’ve found another partner close to them.
3. They forget important dates or special occasions
Celebrating milestones and special moments together as a couple helps to improve your bond so it’s crucial to remember all your important dates.
For couples who are in a long-distance relationship, it’s even more necessary to mark these events because they’re not physically together and can suffer from severe loneliness.
When a significant other forgets your birthday or anniversary repeatedly, this could be a sign of a failing relationship.
If they’re not celebrating happy moments with you, they’re likely spending time with someone else who’s their top priority at the moment.
4. They refuse to make spontaneous video chats
Another sign someone is cheating in a long-distance relationship is that they’ll find excuses not to make video calls with you, especially at night.
If your partner only agrees to have video chats whenever it suits them, they may be hiding their new lover from you.
Of course, it’s possible that they’re working and can’t engage with you all the time, but if they have nothing to hide, they’ll be willing to let you see where they are even if it’s their workplace.
5. They’ve stopped telling you things about their personal life
A key sign your long-distance relationship is thriving is that you’ll share little details about your life with each other.
For example, if you had lasagna for dinner or your pet is sick, you’ll be inclined to tell your significant other because you want them to know what’s going on in your life.
When your long-distance partner no longer updates you about their personal life or the social events they attend, they may be getting emotionally attached to another person.
And if you ask them about something they were supposed to tell you voluntarily and they say they forgot to mention it in your last conversation, it’s a huge red flag you shouldn’t ignore.
6. They’re behaving weird or different all of a sudden
Have you noticed that your partner is suddenly acting weird or different toward you?
Maybe they sound distant on the phone or they don’t seem so enthusiastic to hear your voice anymore.
A big sign your long-distance partner is seeing someone else is that they’ll seem a bit cold or disinterested during conversations.
This is because they’re slowly becoming detached from you and connecting with another person so they’re not motivated to put in the effort to impress you anymore.
7. They’re no longer desperate for regular visits
When you’re away from someone you love, you’ll miss them dearly and yearn to see them physically.
If your long-distance partner isn’t eager to meet you after a long period, this should bother you.
Even though the cost of travel is high, a significant other who’s emotionally connected to you will express their desire to visit you and they’ll be enthusiastic for you to come over.
A faithful partner will also tell you they can’t wait for both of you to be in the same location again.
But, if they have someone around to entertain them, they may not be so concerned about getting regular visits from you.
8. They ignore your calls or texts frequently
Another red flag your romantic partner is having an affair is that they miss your calls and ignore your texts for days.
Nobody is so busy that they can’t pick up their phone calls or reply to text messages, especially if they’re from someone they love.
If your significant other is ghosting you all of a sudden, there is a high chance that they’re preoccupied with a new love interest.
9. They’re suggesting you both take a break from the relationship
Did your long-distance partner mention that they need a break from the relationship?
They may have fallen out of love and are no longer interested in committing to you.
A partner who’s still in love with you will be willing to work through any issues you have to build a successful relationship with you.
If they’re dropping hints that they need some time away from you or they’re suggesting that you both leave the relationship for a while, this could be a sign they’ve found someone else.
10. You have a gut feeling that they’re cheating on you
Do you suspect that something is off with your partner but they’re outrightly denying it?
When someone is having an affair and trying to cover their tracks, their demeanor could change rapidly.
For example, if your partner’s words don’t align with their actions and you realize they’re lying to you or hiding something from you, they could be cheating on you.
11. They get angry or defensive when you share your concerns
When you suspect that something is not right and you ask your partner for an explanation, how do they react?
If they get angry or defensive about their behavior instead of giving you a straightforward answer, they may be guilty of cheating.
A loyal partner will reassure you of their love for you and try to dispel your doubts with honest answers rather than defending themselves or trying to guilt-trip you for asking questions.
12. They shy away from saying “I love you” or other affectionate words
Another way to know when someone is cheating in a long-distance relationship is that they’ll stop saying “I love you” at the end of conversations.
Even when you express your love for them openly, they’ll deflect and say something else or change the topic entirely.
If your partner is doing this, they may have lost their feelings for you and are just stringing you along until they get the courage to break things off.
This is called cushioning and people often do this because they’ve met someone else but want to wait and see if things work out with their new partner before they end their current relationship.
According to dating coach Tennesha Wood, cushioning counts as emotional cheating in a long-distance relationship.
Even if they’ve not slept with anyone, if your partner is considering other romantic prospects, they’re already guilty of micro-cheating.
Conclusion
When you’re in a long-distance relationship, it’s normal to worry that your partner might cheat on you or leave you for someone else.
Sadly, there is a chance this can actually happen if you don’t see each other often.
However, it’s possible to know when a partner is being unfaithful and it’s okay to end the relationship if your suspicions turn out to be true.
From refusing to tell you things about their personal life and being defensive when you ask deep questions to ignoring your calls, there are so many ways you can tell when someone is guilty of infidelity.
If you see any of these cheating signs in a long-distance relationship, this means your significant other is seeing someone else and hiding the affair from you.
FAQs
1. Is cheating common in long-distance relationships?
Out of 7,000 American adults who were surveyed in a recent study, only about 22% of people admitted that they cheated in a long-distance relationship. This means infidelity is not prevalent among LDR couples.
2. Who is most likely to cheat in a long-distance relationship?
Generally speaking, men are more likely to cheat than women. According to data from the General Social Survey, 20% of men and 13% of women revealed that they’ve had an affair while married.
3. What are some red flags in a long-distance relationship?
Being too busy all the time, ignoring your phone calls for days, and refusing to engage in spontaneous video chats are big red flags you should watch out for in a long-distance relationship.
4. What are the first signs of cheating?
Some early signs of cheating in a long-distance relationship include less frequent communication, passive aggressiveness toward you, and significantly low interest in visits.
5. How do you know if your long-distance boyfriend is losing interest?
A surefire way to know if your long-distance partner is losing interest is that they won’t call or text often and they’ll be reluctant to tell you things about their personal life.
Recommended Reading:
3 Harsh Facts About Long Distance Relationships
How To Catch A Cheating Partner Red-handed