Cheating, most DailyXY readers agree, is easy to define; according to 87 percent of you, if you smooch another, you’ve crossed the line. It’s easy to overlook a subtler but perhaps more insidious form of infidelity: Emotional cheating. Here, how to identify it – and how to deal with the damage.

Crushing: You’ve got a thing for your barista. You linger over espresso, and chat about all sorts of things. Except, somehow, your girlfriend or wife.
Damage Control: Assess whether your crush is actually a red flag for your relationship. If not, say nothing about the flirtation and find yourself a new coffee shop.

Consoling: You still care about your ex’s welfare – and after a hard breakup, she needs some comfort. So you’re there, with a shoulder to cry on. But she’s vulnerable. And now, single. Betrayal beckons.
Damage Control: Casually mention the incident to your lady. This will show you’ve got nothing to hide. Ultimately, you’ll have to say no to sobbing exes; you can only be one woman’s cuddle buddy.

Texting / Emailing: You’ve entered into an ambiguous digital back-and-forth with another. Emoticons may have been used.
Damage Control: Even if you’ve said nothing inappropriate, your girlfriend would be upset to discover the correspondence. And she will. Delete the messages and log off.

Promising: Before meeting your girlfriend you’ve established an “If the time/place works out…” arrangement with an ex.
Damage Control: It’s probably harmless, but if you see the old flame, tell her you’re happily coupled. And ditch your backup plans. It’s only fair to your current squeeze.

Image courtesy of Baala.