Based on Hollywood depictions, cheating seems like the absolute worst thing to happen to a couple. But are there things that are more destructive to a relationship?
Redditor laterdude asked the Internet that very question, and answers ranged from eye-opening to downright depressing.
The most up-voted response was "lying and hiding things," and one Redditor explained that they "hid some drinking from my ex-wife because she had a dad that died from alcoholism. She hid smoking from me because I had a mother that smoked constantly during pregnancy and after, and most likely caused my respiratory issues. Our reasons for lying were both to protect the other, but both caused relationship problems instead."
Wastingtigers added, "I found out my ex had been lying to me for the entire relationship about multiple major issues. It makes you feel like you were tricked into loving someone."
Though some think cheating is worse than lying, a one-time indiscretion and habitual dishonesty can destroy a relationship in very different ways.
Redditor Darth_Corleone said one thing worse than cheating is "Withholding affection. Some people need it. Others don't function well without it."
In response, AvatarNuktuk pointed to the five love languages (a theory that people feel most-loved through one of five different expressions of affection), and that some people simply need physical affection:
Redditor Samlamb80 got a little too real and said that "cell phone addiction" is a relationship killer. Nopenotyou explained how important staying away from phones can be for relationship success:
It's not as if cheating wouldn't hurt your relationship, but these Redditors proce that there are many ways to doom a relationship and break hearts. To keep things sweet on the romance front, be honest, give hugs, and put your phone away.