For some, it's unforgivable right off the bat and there is no need or desire to hear anything more about it. It happened, they -blam!-ed up, we're done, they're gone, case closed. For others, they want to understand (to one extent or another). They may have questions as to the who, what, why, when, how, and so on. That desire to know can come in many flavors and for many reasons. Some could be seen as positive, healthy, or negative, unhealthy, or even dangerous. The person who was faithful may want to know if there was something they could have done differently, if there were warning signs or other indicators that they missed. Other people want to know if they could have prevented it, or if their actions contributed to the situation. Some want to feel more pain, even wallow in it. Some want ammunition so they can lash back. All sorts of reasons. Too many to list. Some folks want to know the details to see if there is enough there to still work with. To see if the infidelity is something that betrayed trust to the point where it can't be rebuilt, or to decide that it is something forgivable (and if the person wants to be forgiven), and the harm can be healed. No two individuals are alike, and when they combine into a couple, while it is simple math of 1+1=2, the intricacies of a relationship are almost never simple, and can result in pairings and bonds that other people don't understand or will look at and say "I could never do that". What I have learned is that infidelity and cheating are both terms that most people think are pretty clear and easily defined, but when you sit people down, they all have slightly different limits and boundaries either at the edges, in how they see the whole matter. What I do know is that "when it comes to your own actions, cheating is what your partner considers cheating, not what you consider it to be." It's possible for one partner to believe that flirting with others is cheating. If their partner doesn't think that it is, and chooses to do it anyway? Then, even though they don't think it's cheating, their partner does and will treat it as a betrayal even though the flirting partner doesn't believe that they are doing anything wrong. People can accept or draw the line at other limits. They can consider fantasizing about others to be cheating, they can feel that watching porn or reading erotica is cheating, they can decide that self-pleasure is cheating, and so on. If your partner draws such a distinction and you cross their line? Then in their eyes, you have cheated. So, as I said, it can be simple, it can be cut-and-dry, it can also be complex, messy, intricate and all sorts of confusing. It depends on the people, how they think, how they feel, what they do, and how they respond or react. Me? I'd probably want to have some questions answered and those answers would help me to decide whether to stay or go. I don't know precisely where my gray areas are, but the only way I could find them is by talking with my partner (if they even want to talk about it).

I personally have a polygamous relationship, so to me and my partner it's acceptable.

In a relationship, no not acceptable in any case whatsoever. In video games, hell yeah

I cheat in school all the time. Let me tell you about one time I cheated! So it all started on a Thursday night when I decides to stay up till 3 am and not study so I had a chemistry test the next day so I went to class and we had a sub so I used my apple watch and had a screenshot of the study guide pulled up and no one caught me and I never told anyone about it...

Yes

But God -blam!-ing forbid it was you who "cheated" on her then it will be the end of the world as people call you pig because you crushed her feelings. Hellooooo true love doesnt seek affection from somebody else. Please don't try to justify her actions just leave the bitch and move on to someone that will stand with you not against you. [spoiler]Unless someone like forced a kiss on her or something but there better be proof that she struggled and pushed back.[/spoiler]

No and no. Don't even bother with her.

It's almost never forgivable imo

No, you bang her friends and brother

[quote]Do you consider cheating to be acceptable in any case? Do you consider cheating in a relationship forgivable?[/quote]No and no.

It depends what you value in a relationship. Personally, I would never expect someone to try to not have sexual feelings for other people, because that just isn't possible, so I would understand if they had sex with someone else and so long as that didn't impact our emotional relationship I would be fine with it. If their extrasexual relationships had an impact on our emotional relationship then I would have to question the reasoning why we're together in the first place. I'm happy being in an open relationship, I'm happy being in a polyamorous relationship, as long as that doesn't diminish the emotional connection between me and the other person. If you've agreed with the other person mutual monotony, then you have a right to get mad it they have sex with someone else.

Showing any type of affection to another guy is cheating to me

What's the circumstance. You guys just dating, living together, what? If you are just dating there is no such thing as cheating. If you are in a serious relationship then there is no saving The relationship. You will never trust her again, even if you try.

We are no flood

[i] *puts on an antic disposition* [/i] Cheating in checkers is an offence punishable by death.

Not acceptable under any circumstance. Though i am gulty of cheating. I was talking to two women at the same time and spending time with both for about 8 months.