Would you tell your friend if you know her husband is cheating on her?

Philippines
November 12, 2008 10:10am CST
I have a circle of friends whose lives and misdeeds I am privy to, but I've never been one to talk about their private lives with other people. The subject has come up a few times, though, if any of us would tell the wife if we saw her husband with someone else in public, acting the way couples do. When I said that I wouldn't, because it's their business, I was chided for not being a true friend. The thing is, I wouldn't want to be the bearer of bad news, and I couldn't possibly get over the guilt if they DO split up. What I would probably do is talk to the "cheater" and have him tell his wife before I do (which I doubt I am capable of). What is your opinion on the matter?
1 person likes this
6 responses
• Philippines
12 Nov 08
I am not the kind of person who meddle in someone else's business, most especially relationships, even more so, if the couple is already married. Even if I have several thoughts flying alll over my brain whilst the thought of seeing my friend's husband cuddling with someone else, I will not tell the wifey anything about what I saw. Why? 1. If you were being cheated on, do you really want to know that your husband is fooling around with someone else? Sometimes, what you don't know won't hurt you. 2. What if he is really cheating, from whom do you want to get this information from, your husband, or a friend? 3. The wife is indeed the last to know. How do you think the wife would feel if she knew that she was the last to know about the affair? If you did not say anything even if you knew something, i think, do not qualify as a form of betrayal. you just kept your mouth shut and you let events happen on its own,that's all. If it's God's will, it will happen, the wife will still find out one way or another, even if you will not volunteer the information. and you as a friend, need not to stick your nose up to their marriage. Telling the wife does not prove anything, it does not make you a better person than her husband. Telling the wife will not benefit anyone involved in the situation. And what makes you think that telling her will justify your friendship with her? There is actually one thing, which i think most men neglect, which i think you should know: The wife always knows, she just do not want her husband to know that she knows. For whatever reason I don't know. I have seen these many times. I think, this topic was shown in the movie WOMEN ( Meg Ryan)..
1 person likes this
• Philippines
12 Nov 08
Thank you! I have to see that movie. I missed it when it was showing here. And I agree with you.
• Philippines
15 Nov 08
Oh,it IS just about to show.
@jbrooks0127 (2324)
• United States
12 Nov 08
You have personalized this much more than your friends have. You can actually put yourself in this position and realize that telling her would be a very hurtful thing. In some cases people do not want to face this kind of thing and you would loose that friend. Your approach is much better. To make that spouse take responsibility for his actions is much better for everyone. While you may not be capable of telling her to make him think so may wake him up. If it does not then there is little more that you can do as a friend. The most important thing is to then be there for her if she finds out. To be a good friend is to first do no harm. Things happen in life but it is not always up to us to fix them. And above all never ever discuss this with anyone but him. For you to talk about this to other people would be unforgivable. To have such an issue being tossed around with your friends and then for her to find out would devastate her even more. This would indeed be a tough place to find yourself but above all else we can only help and not hurt to be a true friend. Your approach is the only way.
1 person likes this
• United States
12 Nov 08
One additional thing that complicates the whole thing of course is the issue of AIDS. To not tell her and then her husband continue this puts her at risk. This is why putting pressure on him about that possibility is so important.
• Philippines
12 Nov 08
Thank you for that response, jbrooks0127. You've made me feel a whole lot better. I know that some of them are guilty of this and I think I needed reassurance and approval about my take on the matter.
@subha12 (18441)
• India
13 Nov 08
actually many cases we find it hard to say thinking what the friend will feel. she may be hurt. but at times when its beyond limit, its better to say. it can save the life.
@phoenix25 (1541)
• United States
12 Nov 08
I would probably not say anything, but it would depend on the friend and the situation. Your friends might say that they are mad at you for saying that you wouldn't tell them if you saw their husbands in that situation, but the reality is that they are far more likely to be even more upset at you for saying something to them. A lot of women would be mad to have their friend tell them something like this. Many of them wouldn't even believe it. It really depends on the woman, though, and I think that if it was a very, very good friend, then I would probably say something if I had a little more to go on than seeing her husband in public with another woman.
• Philippines
16 Nov 08
Yes, I agree. That's another problem that might arise...losing your friend.
@silverjam (969)
• United States
18 Nov 08
And do you think the "cheater" would do what you want him to? For me concealing a betrayal is like condoling such act. Moreso, if the wife is my friend I cannot dare to be just "blind" of what I discover. I would probably tell her but I must do it in a diplomatic and subtle ways..because I know its not an easy thing to accept. I might would have to suggest her to investigate or see it herself so she would not consider it as just some kind of gossip. I would also support her emotionally because I would be very sure she needs one then.....afterall, what are friends for?
• Philippines
12 Nov 08
well, my advice for you is to talk with the girl..and interrate if what is her relationship to the guy..tell her that the guy is married. if the both of them is positive well, tell them not to show their intimate relationship in the public. tell them to hide..because sooner or later they might be caught by the wife.