Are you a cheater? Do you cheat on your significant other?
Wait! Don’t assume I’m referring to infidelity. No, no, no… What I am referring to is watching shows on Netflix.
I think we are all guilty of doing that. I know that I am. I’ve jumped ahead on my favorite series without my husband knowing about it. A good example would be when we first watched Stranger Things on Netflix. We watched the first episode together, then he went to bed. He had planned on watching the next episode a few days later. Oh no! Not me! I had to watch the next episode right away. In fact, that night I watched four episodes in a row. I never told him about that. We he finally watched the next episodes I “played dumb” about it and acted as if I was seeing the story unfold for the first time – even though I knew what was going to happen.
I did the same thing with the new Netflix series, Santa Clarita Diet. We watched the first episode together, then he fell asleep in his chair, so I went ahead and watched two more episodes. He slept the whole time. He never knew that I cheated and watched the next two episodes.
I know I’m not alone. I know there are plenty of other people who cheat on their significant other, or friends, and “sneak watch” episodes of their favorite series on Netflix. In fact, new data reveals 46% of streaming couples around the world are watching ahead of their partners and most only plan to cheat more. This cheating behavior only continues to grow with 60% of consumers saying they’d cheat more if they knew they’d get away with it. And once you cheat, you can’t stop: 81% of cheaters are repeat offenders and 44% have cheated 3+ times. I am definitely a repeat offender. I’ve cheated many times by binge watching and watching ahead a few episodes without my husband knowing about it.
I know he cheats too. He has access to Netflix and work and I know sometimes he sits at his desk to eat his lunch and watches Netflix. I just don’t know how many times he’s cheated on me. If he has cheated, he’s good about it because he never slips up.
Here are some more interesting facts about cheating with Netflix.
WHERE IS CHEATING HAPPENING? (EVERYWHERE)
Cheating happens all over the world….though it varies a bit by country. The most cheaters are in Brazil and Mexico where 57%-58% of streaming couples have cheated, respectively. The most loyal viewers are in Netherlands (73% have not cheated), Germany (65%) and Poland (60%).WHAT SHOWS ARE WE CHEATING ON? (ALL OF THEM)
While no show is off limits, top cheating temptations are The Walking Dead, Breaking Bad, American Horror Story, House of Cards, Orange Is The New Black, Narcos, and Stranger Things.WHY DO WE CHEAT? (WE JUST CAN’T HELP IT)
Most don’t plan to cheat…it just happens: 80% of cheating is unplanned. The trigger for the growing trend in cheating? Two-thirds (66%) of cheaters said that “the shows are just so good we can’t stop bingeing.”HOW DO WE CHEAT? (ANY WAY WE CAN)
Sleep with one eye open: 25% of cheating happens when one partner falls asleep. But whether this is even cheating is hotly debated. Half say “sleep cheating” doesn’t count (53%), but the morality of “sleep cheating” varies across the globe. Chileans think it’s no big deal, Japan sees it as unforgivable. Many are still cheating in secret: 45% never admit to their indiscretions.IS CHEATING SO BAD? (DEPENDS WHERE YOU LIVE)
If you stray, don’t beat yourself up about it. Cheating has become more socially acceptable, with 46% saying it’s “not bad at all.” Unless of course you live in Hong Kong, where 40% think watching ahead of your partner is worse than having an actual affair.IS MY PARTNER A CHEATER? (SPOILER ALERT: MOST LIKELY)
Cheating comes in many forms. Netflix has created a series of assets to help explain the phenomenon. Cheating Profiles highlight the most common types of offenders lurking in households around the world. This infographic illustrates cheating motivations and behaviors, and reaction GIFs help couples work through their indiscretions so they can protect their relationship…or keep on cheating.
Even our teenage daughter has cheated on her ex-boyfriend with Netflix. She admitted it to her ex that she did.
If you still plan on being a “serial cheater” on your significant other, and continue to watch Netflix shows behind their backs, as least make sure you don’t get caught.
Check out some great tips on how to cheat and get away with it.
I love that term – “steaming infidelity.”
If you would like to check out all the great cheat-worthy programs on Netflix, visit Netflix.com. You can also check them out on social media.
Do you cheat on your significant other when it comes to watching Netflix programming? What is your favorite series to commit “streaming infidelity?” Feel free to share your thoughts. I always love to hear from readers.
Kimberly
*I am a member of Netflix’s Stream Team. I receive free service in exchange for my participation. There is no compensation. The opinions expressed are my own (unless otherwise noted) and not influenced in any way.