What could be more lovely than meeting and falling in love with the person of your dreams? Maybe it was love at first sight for you. But what if your partner is being flirted with by someone else who feels the same attraction?
Humans are undeniably sexually motivated creatures. If not, humanity would have been extinct from the start. However, mature individuals are the ones who are able to restrain their sexuality and maintain loyalty to their spouses.
Were Humans Always Faithful to One Mate?
Psychologists and anthropologists don’t believe that humans have always been monogamous. Studies suggest that serial polygamy was likely practiced by our earliest ancestors.
The experts do point out that people still like relationships with only two individuals who are exclusively involved.
This excludes sex with those who are not in committed relationships. It doesn’t even cover situations where someone gets a new spouse after their previous one has passed away. It’s common to want some alone time with your significant other.
Remember when everyone was practicing their flirting in junior high school? Flirting is encoded into our brains, according to studies on human connections. Science categorizes this as a primitive function that, similar to a mating ritual, signals to potential partners that we are interested.
How did you catch your significant other’s attention, now that you think about it? You probably glanced at each other from across the room, grinned, and began to casually flirt. The fact that your significant other is already involved doesn’t deter people from making overtures or flirting.
You will undoubtedly run into at least one individual who makes overt advances toward your partner. Despite being inevitable, the important thing is how you handle it. Your relationship could be in peril if your partner is participating in frequent flirting.
How to React When Someone Flirts With Your Partner
Some people don’t want to brazenly flirt with those who are plainly dating someone else. How do you handle them without coming across as the green-eyed monster? Here are some suggestions on how to respond when your spouse is flirted with.
Online flirting is also on the increase, psychologists note. As you read these things, bear that in mind.
1. Appraise the situation
Imagine yourself and your significant other enjoying a night out when you observe someone overtly flirting with them. Everyone experiences it at some point in a love relationship. Take a moment to collect yourself before acting foolishly and losing your temper.
Was the individual who was staring at you a complete stranger? It could be tough to tell if two individuals are a “couple” on a packed dance floor or at a busy restaurant. This stranger made the instinctive decision after observing what you did when you first met your partner.
If the offender is someone you don’t even know, you can usually dismiss the gaffe. A little wink or a simple, flirtatious smile? Don’t raise a stink over something when the offender didn’t mean any harm. You’re in the clear as long as your spouse doesn’t reciprocate the flirting.
Stand near your spouse, grasp their hand, and smile if it helps you feel a bit better. After that, you might smile politely and quickly at the individual who is flirting with your spouse. If they have any morals at all, most individuals will back off and flirt with someone else.
2. How does your partner respond?
An harmless wink or flirtatious grin becomes problematic at this point. Did your partner see the individual flirting with them across the room? If the flirting were happening face-to-face and right in front of you, it would be more difficult to ignore it.
Keep your composure and observe your partner’s response. Your spouse will disregard it if you two are in a passionate and committed relationship. Expect them to stand up and say, “Sorry, I’m taken,” if things become personal.
You don’t want to assign responsibility for your partner’s lack of reciprocation on them. Put the flirter in the wrong. A person who is in love with you won’t consider flirtatious advice from others.
Any nice individual who unintentionally flirts with your spouse should be told to leave right away. Put it down to the fact that you are with a cute, appealing individual. Enjoy the remainder of your romantic time together and let it go.
3. When the flirtation continues
Imagine that you have caught your lover being flirted with and that they haven’t responded to your obvious clues. What should you do if the shameless flirt persists and is upsetting both you and your partner?
When you realize that your significant other has been surrounded while you were across the room, the situation becomes even more awkward.
These are the situations where you need to intervene to calm the situation down. You can step in without becoming angry or jeopardizing your respectability. Approach your spouse, give them a hug, and identify yourself as their partner to the flirtatious person.
Make sure to look the individual in the eye and smile firmly. You may also inquire, “Have we met?” As soon as the perpetrator has left, wait by your companion. This should be the only action you require, unless the offender has no sense of decency.
4. Be the bigger person when someone flirts with your partner
It hurts to see someone flirt with your lover while you’re really in love. You are acting honorably if you maintain composure and analyze the circumstance. It demonstrates your self-assurance and relationship stability.
A huge scene is the last thing you want to do. It will not only make you appear horrible, but it will also make your significant other feel quite embarrassed. Remain dignified and act like the greater person.
5. When it’s time for a confrontation
When someone you know flirts with your spouse, it’s one thing; when it’s a complete stranger, it’s quite another. Be aware that some people are only naturally flirtatious. You still have the right to declare what you will and will not tolerate.
When someone starts flirting with your spouse in a social environment, are you sick of being there? It’s time to state your opinion once you’ve done everything to make it clear that their attempts are unwanted. En tete a tete, as in face-to-face, is how the French refer to it.
Rest assured that decent individuals seldom allow situations to deteriorate to this degree. Some individuals, however, are so flirtatious by nature that they are unaware of what they are doing. A conflict with individuals who are being purposefully offensive.
It’s important how you approach this talk. You want to approach it in a non-hostile manner. You still need to communicate with the individual who is flirting with your partner. Pick your words carefully, reassuringly, and without remorse. Set clear limits!
Once you identify yourself as your partner’s significant other, the majority of outsiders will leave. If the flirty person is a friend or relative, the issue is more difficult. A friend or family member must not have any regard for you if they have the audacity to flirt with your spouse.
6. What to say
Do it while you’re composed if you need to confront someone about their inappropriate flirting with your partner. In the heat of the moment, a conversation will definitely end badly. You might ask the flirtatious person for a brief conversation once you’ve had time to assess the issue and consult with your partner.
Speaking about it in public is not a good idea. You can bring your partner along if you need assistance. Be direct about your feelings about the issue while remaining strong and polite.
You wanted to bring something to their notice that has been bugging you, so say so. When you’re ready, say it like it is: “I know you love flirting, but you might not be implying anything. You are aware, nevertheless, that my partner is with me and has no interest in anybody else.
“When you flirt, it disrespects and makes both of us feel uneasy. Although I cherish our friendship, this conduct must end. If not, we will have to split ways until you abide by our requests.
That is the most straightforward and honest you can get. You’ve given the offender ample leeway to accept responsibility and make the required adjustments. If it’s a friend or relative, you’ve said that you cherish your connection with them and that everything will be well if they stop acting offensively.
7. The dead end
Your words may go unheard if you interact with a narcissist or a sociopathic individual. Be loyal to your word and break off contact with the flirter if the conduct persists. You don’t need a connection with them if they are so stupid and rude.
Final Thoughts on Dealing With a Person Who Flirts With Your Partner
Human attraction includes flirting naturally. Even while most flirtations are probably harmless, there can come a time when you need to speak out. Do this while keeping your honor and your loved one’s respect.