How to Tell If Your Man is Cheating

Many men have heard the rationales their friends and colleague use to confuse and diminish their suspicious partners, and copy these methods with surprising success.

Often it isn't until women compare notes that they realise their men have said the same things in the same situations. These "lines" are instantly recognisable - men are nothing if not predictable.

Women can save themselves a lot of future anguish by learning how to challenge their man when he uses some of the techniques below, and stop him before he goes right ahead with that woman he's got his eye on (or she's got her eye on him!).

"I Would Never be Unfaithful"

The sad thing about this line is that your man probably genuinely believes it, but subconsciously he's trying to knock you off your guard, so you trust and rely on him and believe in the loving, supportive persona he creates for you. It's great to hear him say it, but still have the conversation anyway about expecting him to say if he was ever tempted. That way you have established rules that he knows are boundaries for the relationship.

"You Don't Understand Me"

This is a clear warning that your man considers you and he are moving in different directions. He's being confrontational which in turn may provoke a disagreement, therefore freeing him from any guilt if he chooses to seek consolation elsewhere. This is the point where you need to hold your temper and try to have a non-judgemental dialogue about what makes him feel this way and how you can help him resolve the situation. It will take a lot of willpower when you may be feeling the same about him!

"I'm Going to be Late/Away Because (X/Y/Z)"

If he's starting to spend less and less time at home and more time either at work, out with the lads or doing whatever, it's not necessarily a sign that he's already playing away, but it's worrying because he might be getting you used to the idea that he's not going to be around much. He might have his eye on a woman he wants to spend time with and be preparing the ground with you. Again, this is the time to have the conversation about where your relationship is right now.

"I Just Pay the Bills Around Here"

Or words to that effect, showing he feels undervalued and ignored. Other phrases referring to his position in the household and the value you seem to place on him should also ring alarm bells. He may be missing the attention you lavished on him in the early days and even though you're stretched yourself, in order to keep your man, you're going to have to tackle this worrying development in his attitude before it's too late.