Quote Originally Posted by Oneironaught View Post
Well OK, let me tell you about cheating. First, let's define terms here:

Cheater: 1) A selfish b@stard - male or female - who thinks that their personal whims are more important than their integrity and the well-being and feelings of those they falsely proclaim to love. 2) Several of my Ex. girlfriends.

Cheating: A selfish act perpetrated by a cheater upon a mistreated, well-intentioned romantic partner.

Cheating is one of those things that p!sses me off and diminishes my respect for people. I've ditched friends for cheating on their partners and I've lost lovers to cheating. Your integrity is all you've got in life. If you lose everything, your character is what will determine the outcome of the experience. Your character reflects your, actions, your circle of friends and your life's path. Why compromise your character? It's your most important attribute.

Equally as vital is the effect on those you lie to and steal from. Cheating is lying and stealing. If you don't like being lied to and stolen from then you'd better not do it to others. If you aren't satisfied with the one you're with then say so and get out. But, damn it, don't f*ck over others for your own selfish pleasures.

As may be evident, I hate liars, I hate thieves and I hate cheaters. I've been screwed over by too many of each in my life. I don't screw you over, don't screw me over.

Now, in the interest of full disclosure - and so I'm not a hypocrite - I must confess that I slept with a soon-to-be-married woman once (when I was right out of high school). I lost a friend that day, I lost a little respect for myself and I had to cope with the guilt for awhile. They ended up getting married (postponed) still but I hate the thought that I screwed over two people that day. I knew damn well I was wrong but I was stupid and selfish. I learned from the other side of the fence that day that the grass is not greener on the other side.

I would never do that to some one I pledge my heart and commitment to. It just isn't fair to either of us. It just isn't worth it.

I wish I could tell you that cheating isn't common but, it seems like every you turn, there's some @sshole sleeping around. That's why I've been single for a few years. When I find some one I feel I can connect with again, they're already taken. I don't trust too many women these days. I'm not the type to be jealous and worried all the time. I'm also not the type to jump into a relationship for the sex alone. Oh, I love the sex - don't get me wrong - but if that's all there is then don't waste my time.

Did I mention that I'm a bit gun-shy these days?
Wow. That's a lot of pain. Although I agree mostly.

I would say that there is another category of cheaters, who fall into the "I'm shallow and need it to make me feel better about myself" category.

I can understand to some extent how some people could do it, I am in a relationship, very seriously, with someone whom I love and trust completely. Yet at the same time I am attracted to other people, mostly physically (one emotionally) whom I could very easily sleep with or cheat on my girlfriend with, and I would consider it something completely pysical and nothing more that filling the primal urge to "spread my seed" as a man.

But, I don't, because cheating isn't about sleeping with someone, it's about breaking trust. As soon as I do something to break my girlfriend's trust in me, I have cheated, whether it's sleeping with someone, or asking them for the time.

I wouldn't be able to wake up and look myself in the mirror each morning knowing that I've done something to break her trust in me, to hurt her, for however simple, selfish, or completely accidental reasons. So that's why I won't do it.