Loyal men know loyalty means more than promising to stay faithful; it means intentionally and actively staying away from certain lines, activities, and situations that threaten their relationships.
Direct compliments
They don’t give overly personal, sensual, or sexual compliments to others. It’s fine to be courteous, friendly, and professional with others.
But loyal men don’t offer up comments about anyone’s physical appearance, body type, or clothing that could be perceived as a sexual or romantic advance. They know words have power.
Ex contact
They don’t maintain casual, undefined contact with exes for ego inflation, drunk-dialing, or convince themselves that they want some type of closure by claiming they just want to be friends.
If there isn’t a co-parenting relationship or heavily entangled family connections, they understand that leaving the door open on that chapter of their life takes away from creating a safe environment in their current life.
Overstepping touch
They maintain physical boundaries and don’t engage in prolonged cuddling or silly touching/gestures that venture into romantic territory.
They know personal space can often send mixed signals when they’re around someone frequently and cause unwanted tension, so they don’t overstep. They keep their physical intimacy for their spouse, so there is never any question of who they want to be close to.
Secret friendships
They do not send private texts, erase conversation histories, or have secret friendships.
If a relationship has to be kept from a partner, they know that’s a deal-breaker. Secrecy is a huge red flag all on its own and usually means a person is being emotionally dishonest with their partner.
Emotional dumping
They don’t confide in another woman when it comes to hashing out problems in their relationship or confessing their personal fears and inadequacies.
They understand that pouring their innermost anxieties and issues on someone other than their partner outside of their committed relationship cultivates an emotional intimacy that can become an emotional affair in a heartbeat.
Solo drinking
They don’t accept invitations to meet for late-night, one-on-one drinks with someone who could develop an interest in them.
Alcohol can loosen inhibitions and weaken decision-making skills. And a meeting in a dark bar late at night completely changes the tone from professional to intensely personal.
Boundaries blur
Loyal men make a point to casually mention their girlfriend or wife within the first few minutes of chatting with someone new, whether online or in person. That unwanted attention can lead to some tempting and awkward situations that are easily avoided.
Virtual flirting
They avoid flirting through direct messages, sliding into stories or leaving suggestive comments on posts. They know cyber flirting is still flirting, and the small transgressions online eat away at the trust and intimacy in real-life relationships. They aren’t looking for attention from strangers online through likes, DMs, or chats.
Venting zones
They don’t hang out in friend groups or environments where cheating is commonplace, joked about, or encouraged. They understand that surrounding themselves with the right people matters when it comes to forming healthy mindsets and boundaries about monogamy. Constant negativity about relationships can weaken someone’s resolve to stay loyal.
Vulnerable moments
They don’t put themselves in positions to be alone with someone when their relationship is going through a rough patch, and they’re vulnerable, feeling lonely, angry, misunderstood, or disconnected from their partner. They always choose to work on the problem at home instead of looking for external comfort.
Digital triggers
Faithful men think before they consume content. They aren’t surfing social media, thinking about how they can compare, attract, or fantasize about other people. They know what they allow themselves to consume will impact how they think and act eventually. They keep their social media balanced and don’t give fuel to unnecessary distractions.
Late texting
They refrain from non-serious, non-emergency texting/messaging at late hours with anyone other than their partners. They understand that late-night conversations have a way of becoming more intimate, relaxed and personal. They don’t want that kind of energy in their life. When nighttime rolls around, their attention shifts to their partner and life at home.
Savior complex
They avoid trying to rescue or over-support another person who depends on them frequently for relationship advice or backup during a relationship crisis. They understand that white-knighting is a typical psychological doorway into codependent relationships and white-knight mentalities.
Complacency trap
They never allow their marriage or partnership to slip into a place of staleness, boredom or routine without making an effort to reignite the spark. They understand that the best way to prevent cheating is to continue investing in the relationship, courtship and companionship they have with their spouse instead of taking them for granted.
Keeping options open
They don’t flirt with the idea of a Plan B just in case things get rough between them and their partner. They don’t lead on someone who’s always had a secret crush on them, or someone who has made it clear that they want more than what they are giving. Because if they have a backup plan, then they weren’t really invested in trying to make things work with their current partner.
Sources: Please see here for a complete listing of all sources that were consulted in the preparation of this article.
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