Tuesday, January 30, 2007

Lovin' in public -- yea or nay?

Deirdre: On a plane trip last week the fortysomething couple sitting next to me was ALL OVER each other. They couldn't stop touching and stroking and murmuring and kissing. The public display of affection was overpowering. How do you feel about stuff like that? I'm so over it.
Alisha: We really disagree on this; I'm all about some PDA! It screams love. It shows happiness. And, well, I guess it does spell out horniness, too. There are certain times and places PDAs are not appropriate.
Deirdre: But why do people have to scream love and happiness by pawing all over each other in public?
Alisha: We want to put on display for others what we have and how we're feeling.
Deirdre: Why is it important that other people see what you have? Why isn't it enough that the two of you know? Why rub it in other people's faces?
Alisha: I never said it's important people rub it in. It's just when we are gettin' some lovin', it's natural to let others know. Is it boastful? Yes.
Deirdre: I'm not saying that when couples are in public they should never touch each other. Touch is a natural way of showing affection. But this business of making out in public, or groping someone else's private parts is taking it too far. It strikes me as immature and is a sign of insecurity. It also shows a lack of respect for others.
Alisha: If you're at an outdoor concert, for example, and there are thousands of people; why is not OK for two folks to give some PDA? Our society has so many other limitations as is. Why put a leash on kissing?
Deirdre: Because you're in public? Because there are thousands of people around you? Look, I'm not saying it's not cool to kiss in public. I'm saying it's not cool to play tonsil hockey in public. I don't see it as limiting yourself, or leashing yourself. I see it as exercising a little self control. What's wrong with saving the good stuff until you get home?
Alisha: Maybe because the stuff that's shown in public only gets hotter when the two people get home? View it as pre-game entertainment. The "Super Bowl of PDA" hasn't even been played yet.
Alisha: Honestly, if you don't want to see PDAs, then don't look.
Deirdre: I think some responsibility has to be taken by the couples doing the PDAing. That couple on the plane was sitting right next to me. The plane was full and it wasn't like a bus that I could get off at the next stop.
Alisha: But, this is groping and kissing. This isn't like smoking, where one person's actions is directly affecting you. Right?
Deirdre: It's not physically harmful, like smoking can be, but there are certain things we do as a culture to show respect for each other as fellow humans. A big one is not just killing each other for the sport of it. (Well, most of us don't.) On a smaller scale it's not making strangers witness something intimate between you and your mate. As my plane example illustrates, it's often not as easy as "don't look."
Deirdre: PDA behavior is another indication of us as a culture losing our manners. It's like screeching on cell phones and displaying other people's business on the Internet. Get my point?
Alisha: I get your point, I just don't agree with it. There are always going to be people who are rude and choose to give PDAs in the wrong place and at the wrong time. Seems to me there have always been "exhibitionists" in this world.
Deirdre: But do you think that even the people who do the PDA thing at the wrong place and time should still do so?
Alisha: No, I don't. There definitely needs to be an awareness for what is appropriate. I just think there shouldn't be a stringent regulation on when, where and how.
Deirdre: There is no stringent regulation. There's only common courtesy and common sense -- and some couples often utilize neither.

16 comments:

Anonymous said...

Holding hands, A kiss, (Not a tonsilectomy!) An arm wrapped around your partner. A playful pat on the posterier side. Whisper in their ear and make them blush! All good things. Time to exercise our upbringing and show some manners and raising! Show the love not the act of love making in public

Anonymous said...

so let me get this straight, I am standing in line waiting to go into a concert and the couple beside/in front/behind me is engaging in some heavy PDA, I am suppose to just not look if I don't want to see them? I don't think so. I love my husband with all my heart but I am not going to be groping and stroking him in front of other people and I don't want to see someone else doing that either. Now I am standing there with my fourteen year old son, how am I suppose to teach him about propriety and common courtsey if Jane and Tarzan are making out in public? No we are suppose to behave like people not animals that just jump on each other if the desire strikes. What kind of parents did you have that taught you to behave like that Alisha?

Anonymous said...

Deirdre, does someone need a hug? I mean really, if you have that someone special, whats the big deal? I am not talking about rolling around in the hay bumping uglies, but the PDA's are wonderful to share with some one. You should try it some time, hey just give me a call ;)

Anonymous said...

Kissing, hugging, holdin hands is one thing ..tugging, poking and pulling is another. Sound like envy to me Deidre.

Anonymous said...

Ah yes, the old "you're only mad because you're not gettin' any!" cheap shot by anonymous at 12:52. What makes you think anyone envies you? Is he really that hot, or do you have to prove something to strangers?

When you've got a captive audience, like on a plane, in line, or at a concert where those who object can't just walk away, you're being rude if you're groping, got your tongue well into his esophagus, etc.

Anonymous said...

Thank you anonymous at 1:06. It is just rude and frankly I find it disgusting.

Anonymous said...

I usually stick up for Deirdre, but this time I disagree. I'm all for PDA. As long as you're not at work or church, show affection for each other. Kiss and hold each other. Just don't take off your clothes and start having sex!

Anonymous said...

When I was dating the woman who would become my wife, we did the PDA thing very little. I'm not opposed to people showing a little affection in public--a discreet kiss, a discreet pat, and for us handholding was way out because I walk too fast--but there is a line that shouldn't be crossed.

And yes, I'm very sensitive to the fact that showing affection in public can make others, particularly those who don't have anyone to share their affection with, uncomfortable. I feel for those people, because it made me uncomfortable.

I feel where Deidre is coming from, and she's absolutely dead on.

Anonymous said...

I gotta agree with Lady D on this one too. There's a line and those people obviously crossed it. Holding hands and an arm around someone is one thing, but some lines need not be crossed. Some properness is nice.

I'd ask my deal buddy Alisha, who doens't really surprise me at all with her stance, if she had shame but since I know who her favorite basketball team is, I already know the answer to that one. Zing!

Anonymous said...

I with you 12:52 ENVY ENVY... We live in a day where a hairstyle could be disturbing but you learn to ignore wha you want and to see and gawk at wha you want. More PDA beats tacky tats all over!!

Anonymous said...

So what does that mean if two people with tats covering their arms, neck, and maybe parts of their torso are engaged in heavy duty, borderline obscene PDA?

Anonymous said...

No what it means is close ur eyes if you don't like what you see!!

Anonymous said...

PDA and tats are both tacky.

Anonymous said...

And what about my rights as a human being to be able to go out and not be subjected to some trashy person sucking face with his/her sweetheart? Don't tell me to close my eyes if I don't want to see it..why don't you finish what you started before you go out in public!!

Anonymous said...

I told you to close your eyes if you don't like it! I meant it!! ha ha. Oh so we are trashy for kissing...

Anonymous said...

Hey if I have to watch soldiers being killed everyday because of the way some of you voted then you can watch me suck on my wifes neck and more.
This is exactly what's wrong with this bible thumpin' area. War over love. Anger, hatred and intolerance over affection and acceptance. All wrapped up pretty with a bow and called religion.
What else would you expect from those who have grown up so brainwashed.

Obviousy by some of the comments it's much easier for you to hate than love.

Love and Peace............now there's a thought.