Some months ago I printed in this space a list of ways to tell if your mate is being unfaithful to you. Here are some additional telltale signs of possible infidelity not covered in my previous column:
- Your mate often comes home late, is frequently having vehicle troubles or has frequent unexplained absences.
- Your mate turns off his/her cell phone or pager—or doesn’t answer it—whenever you are around.
- You receive hang-up telephone calls on a regular basis, or an unusually large number of calls that are wrong numbers.
- Your mate won’t listen to his/her telephone messages when you can also hear them, and if you live separately, your mate’s telephone is off limits for you to answer.
- When talking on the telephone, your mate walks away from you, leaves the room, whispers, gives short yes-or-no type answers or abruptly changes the topic of conversation when you enter the room.
- Your mate has occasional special nights out when s/he is not to be bothered at all.
- Your mate doesn’t take you to public functions or social events and avoids having you meet his/her new friends.
- Your mate makes excuses about why his/her wedding ring is not being worn.
- Your mate claims to spend a good deal of time at the local mall but seldom buys anything.
- Your mate is working at the computer, and when you walk into the room, s/he quickly exits whatever program is running, turns the monitor screen down, turns off the monitor or clears the screen so you can’t see what was there.
- Your mate convinces you that taking separate vacations is a good thing for you both.
- Your mate frequently tells white lies.
- Your mate accuses you of cheating, but has no real cause to suspect you.
- Your mate would rather spend time with friends than be with you, shows no interest in your relationship’s future, or stops being affectionate.
- Your mate has been acting emotionally distant and withdrawn but when you ask about it, s/he doesn’t want to discuss it and becomes very protective of his/her privacy.
- Your mate’s car passenger seat is frequently moved to a different position when you get in.
- Your mate’s car, bedroom, bathroom or hairbrush contains unfamiliar hairs.
- Your mate carries a change of clothes or grooming products in his/her car, or brings them along when going for with an evening of socializing with friends.
- Your mate’s clothing or vehicle frequently has the aroma of an unfamiliar smell such as perfume, aftershave, cigarettes or cigars.
- Your mate’s long-distance or calling card charges increase dramatically.
- Your mate comes home to you and is not wearing the same clothes s/he had on when leaving the house, or you notice certain pieces of clothing missing, such as underwear, nylons or socks.
- Your mate comes home and takes a shower or bath right away, which is something s/he never did before.
- Your mate keeps condoms in his/her wallet or purse, even though the two of you don’t use condoms.
- You discover unexplained receipts for hotels, motels, clothing, jewelry or meals.
- Your mate refuses to allow you to see the monthly cell phone or credit card statements.
Source: Cheaters by Raymond Green (New Horizon Press)