Sunday, December 3, 2006

When is a kiss just a kiss?

I have been known to say that when it comes to monogamous relationships, "cheating" is defined by the person who is being cheated upon. For some, it may be as little as a conversation or mild flirtation with another person. For others, anything short of full out vaginal intercourse is not considered cheating. The interpretations run the gamut. In my own life, I find it best to discuss with my current romantic partner two things: (1) The expectation of sexual mongamy; and (2) his definition or interpretation of "cheating." It is often not a pleasant conversation to have.

Sometimes people do cheat, in whatever way the word is defined. And so we must rationalize our actions.

"I was drunk."

"It didn't mean anything."

"Only once. Never again."

With all these definitions and interpretations of infidelity, and the mechanics and difficulties inherent in romantic and sexual relationships, one quesiton remains: Can a kiss ever really be just a kiss?

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