Who chests? - extra-marital affairs - Brief Article - Statistical Data Included

Marie Claire, Dec, 2001

On the coast of COLOMBIA affairs are art of life: Men there often have two houses, one for their wife and the other for their lover.

AMERICANS are usually considered Puritanical compared to the FRENCH. But a 1992 study showed that in France, 20 percent more men and women were faithful to their spouses than their American counterparts. There is one important caveat, however: The French are more tolerant of extramarital affairs. Michelle, 24, has known about her father's mistress for years. "She's almost a part of the family," she says. "I've met her. My mom's met her. Everyone just accepts her presence in our lives."

In some countries, such as IRAN, YEMEN and SAUDI ARABIA, adultery is taken so seriously it is punishable by execution. But Islamic law does allow men to have up to four wives.

In NEPAL, a woman can sleep with her husband's brother if her husband is away for more than a few days. Family affairs are also tolerated in INDIA. When Rukmini, 38, complained about her husband's affair with his brother's wife, her relatives said, "At least he's not going outside the family."

Percentage people who cheat

1 Spain (22%)

MOST FAITHFUL NATIONS

2 Hong Kong (24%)

3 Poland (28%)

LEAST FAITHFUL NATIONS

1 United States (50%)

2 Russia (43%)

3 England (42%)