Which is worse, emotional cheating or physical?

That's YOUR definition, not THE definition.

"Boyfriends/girlfriends don't count"

So you're basically saying that it only counts as cheating if you're married? A legal document doesn't change the amount of emotional impact infidelity has. What if they've been together for many years? Stepping out on your mate no matter what your marital status is, is cheating regardless of how you want to personally define it. If you enter into a relationship under an agreement of monogamy, then any other intimate contact with another person, other than oneself, is classified as cheating by most.

Depends on gender. Women are more hurt by emotional cheating, men by physical. It's why men always ask "Did you sleep with him?" and women always ask "Do you love her?"

Although when the results come in, the poll is likely to contradict me. ;)

Other: Both

It doesn't matter if you're sleeping around on your partner for sex without romance... or if you're just romancing someone else but not touching them.

Cheating is cheating no matter what excuses someone makes up in order to "justify" it or pretend it's not really that bad.

In fact if you're trying to justify cheating you're not just lying to your partner, you're lying to yourself about your own actions and selfishness. You're putting your own physical or emotional pleasures first and your relationship with your partner second.

Both are equally bad. I can't choose.

one can lead to the other. Physical seems worse because it's under your control; feelings can't be tamed.

Emotional is worse. you can fuck up mindlessly and do something physical, but once you start putting emotions in the mix, shit goes down

Cheating is cheating, everyone reacts differently. If you behave in a way that you know would hurt your partner, whether they know about it or not, then it is cheating and you're responsible for that and the hurt you could potentially do.

Each person needs to ensure that their behaviour is appropriate to that particular relationship and respect how the other feels about them.

As im getting into my late twenties my attitude is changing... And I also agree the question was phrased strangely.
Cheating is bad. Knowing is worse. So keep your partner happy and don't cheat,don't play games and they won't cheat.

Emotional is something I do everyday all day long, I undress and mentally screw half the women I see...it does not hurt my marriage one bit. Does my wife do the same, probably...go for it.

Physical, I only have 2 rules...dont ask/dont tell. and dont bring anything home.

Emotional is the worst; since it can destroy a relationship.

Physical indiscretions are, on the other hand, forgivable; since we are all only human. Me included :o(

I made a mistake. infact I want to choose : Emotional (I am a married female)

but I choose :Physical (I am a married female)

a girl obviously wrote this poll

Emotional can lead to psychological issues. Not good.