How common is cheating in the UK?

[Roseberries]

I've seen polls ranging from one in five to more than half having cheated on a spouse. That's a range from American levels to French levels.

How common do you think infidelity is?

I think it's really common. But most people just never get caught.

I'd imagine as much as 2/3 are guilty of at least an emotional affair

@twinningatlife "I'd imagine as much as 2/3 are guilty of at least an emotional affair"

I think by late 30s I would agree that probably 2/3 have cheated in some way (judged on wine fuelled confessions on girlie nights out)

Easily 2/3, and that's just the ones who admit it!

Serial cheaters - those people who always have someone else on the go - are less common. But I'd still say maybe 1/5. Everyone knows the local idiot who is constantly bragging about their latest extra curricular hookup once they're 2 drinks in. For every one of that type, there's 3 more who are clever enough to be completely discreet and get away with it.

I guess it depends on what you class as cheating? And at what point an emotional affair crosses the line? Not all affairs are about actually having sex? Does moaning about your spouse to a member of the opposite sex constitute being disloyal/unfaithful? What about lap dancing clubs? Private dances are very sexualised? What about daydreaming you are with someone else if there is the remotest prospect of that actually ever happening?