Working overtime, being there for a friend who has been heartlessly dumped, tending to a sick family member, going on secret gift shopping missions and exercising. These are the excuses cheaters in SA will use most on Valentine's Day to see their lovers.
A Victoria Milan study about the secrets of cheaters has shown which excuses will be used most commonly on Valentine’s Day, as almost one-third of active cheaters in SA plan to spend time with both their lover and their long-term partner on the most romantic day of the year.
Close to 6 000 active male and female members from 19 countries, including SA, were asked to put down the chocolates, fluffy handcuffs and champagne, to answer questions about who takes priority on Valentine's Day, and why.
The most popular excuse to escape sticky-sweet situations on Valentine's Day is working overtime, and will be used by 43% of SA women and 62% of men.
The second most effective excuse for women is shopping for a secret present – a classic that will be used by 30% of SA female cheaters and 4% of males.
The third excuse most likely to be used is exercising, with 13% of women and 29% of men believing this to be a failsafe way to slip away for a romantic interlude.
The least popular excuse is meeting a lonely friend who just got dumped, with 4% of female and male cheaters believing this is a strong enough reason for their partner to let them disappear.
Victoria Milan founder and chief executive Sigurd Vedal said the results showed that while the excuses differ, there's definitely a sense that cheaters want to share their Valentine's Day with their lover and their long-term partner.