Emotional affair vs close friendship.

[WarrickDavisAsPlates]

I wasn't really sure how to word the title but over my time on mumsnet I've read about people having emotional affairs.

The concept of an emotional affair is fairly new to me, although makes sense that there's a line you don't cross when becoming close to someone and that a relationship betrayal isn't always physical.

As someone who is prone to having quite close and intense friendships I wondered what the line would be for a friendship to become an emotional affair? Would ot have to be something as obvious as confessing feelings or wanting to sleep with eachother, or could there be more subtle changes that Mark the end of the friendship and the beginning of an emotional affair?

(I do realise that different relationships would likely have different points at which boundaries were crossed, for example open relations or polygamous couples would see things differently to a very traditional set up.)

The Duke of Edinburgh’s friendship with Penny seemed to be an emotional affair. Poor Queen Elizabeth having to turn a blind eye all the time

I think you just now, if you’re honest with yourself.
For me texting someone goodnight - or wanting too - is a indicator that they are someone special. Doing that within a relationship with someone else - I’d see that as an emotional affair.

An emotional affair occurs between two people who are attracted to one another.

One or the other will know boundaries are going to be pushed or want to be pushed.

Friendship is the excuse.

I would also add that more effort is put into nurturing the relationship with the “friend” than the partner. When the person involved feels more emotionally intimate with that person than their partner, and their first thought is to share news/feelings with that person rather than partner.