Infidelity is notoriously hard to study, and few people openly admit to it — but some researchers suggest it may have a genetic component and even an evolutionary basis, given how common it is.
A private investigator has now revealed a subtle but telling habit he believes often gives cheating men away.
One recurring pattern
Despite extensive research, the true extent of infidelity is still unclear. What is certain, however, is that it happens often enough that when it affects people we know, it feels upsetting — but not entirely unexpected.
At the same time, determining whether a partner is being unfaithful can be incredibly challenging. Making accusations without clear evidence can do more harm than good, which is why some people turn to private investigators to find out the truth.
While there are obvious red flags — like catching someone in the act or spotting flirty messages — some clues are far less noticeable.
Connecticut-based PI Ray Ranno says he’s picked up on one recurring pattern during his investigations. According to himself, he has many years of experience catching cheating spouses and his company ”perform discreet surveillance and investigations on your spouse and determine if they are lying to you about their whereabouts or if they’re involved with other people.”
“As soon as somebody goes to the car wash…”
Speaking on the Locked In with Ian Bick podcast in 2025, he offered further insight into his work and revealed what signs people should watch for.
According to Ranno, one unexpected sign is a freshly cleaned car.
“If a guy’s going to pick up his sweetie on the side, he wants a clean car,” he said.
He explained that he often notices men making a stop at the car wash before meeting someone.
“As soon as somebody goes to the car wash I think ‘Ha ha, what’s next?’ It’s amazing how they do that. Women not so much. Women don’t do it so much because they usually jump in the guy’s car, men always want to drive.”
He added, “It’s very rare that I see a guy jump into a female’s car.”
Once the suspected meetup happens, Ranno begins gathering evidence for his clients. He also pushed back on the old stereotype of detectives hiding in cars with trench coats and cameras.
Hidden cameras
Instead, his methods are far more modern — and discreet.
Alongside using a long-lens camera, he revealed one of his more creative tools: a hidden camera disguised as a coffee cup.
“If I go into a coffee place, or a supermarket wherever I need to be, I just take the lid off turn it on put the cap on and it looks like I’m walking around with a coffee. Meantime I’m videotaping everything,” he said.
After collecting photos and videos, he hands everything over to the client who hired him — often someone suspecting their partner of cheating.
So while people often focus on phones and messages, Ranno suggests paying attention to other small behavioral changes too — even something as simple as how often the car gets cleaned.
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