When is Public Display of Affection offensive?
By fieryfrost
@fieryfrost (316)
Philippines
February 14, 2007 9:12pm CST
My husband and I celebrated Valentine's day last night. Anyway, we were having some quiet time sipping some hot choco and eating brownies at Max Brenner when the couple beside our table started kissing. I was shocked because they were actually french kissing. I personally find it offensive, like these people don't even have the decency to do it privately.
Today, I went to work early, then the couple in-front of me started hugging. I personally don't find this offensive since I too am guilty of this.
So my question now, when is public display of affection offensive? Is it ok to hug and/or kiss in public? Or is it something you should keep to yourself?
5 people like this
11 responses
@stateroad (730)
• United States
16 Feb 07
A hug and a small kiss is not offensive but FRENCH KISSING no way. That is awful and disresepctful. A couple could save that for their private time and not display that in public. Adults could understand it but I hope this couple does not act like this around younger kids. I do not think the younger kids would be able to understand it. I hope this couple did not spoil you Valentine's Day. It sounded like you had a very romantic evening sipping that hot cocco and wating Brownies. Now that is a Valentine's Day !!
1 person likes this
@fieryfrost (316)
• Philippines
16 Feb 07
Thanks for the response! They kinda spoiled it for me. =( They were actually seated right across me and hell they were my only view. I know it's Vday and all that but I was hoping to have a quiet, sweet, romantic ambiance and all that but hell no! lol Anyway, you're right I actually did! Even if they were ruining my night, my husband together with the hot choco, yummy brownies and some sweet whispers made all the difference! =)
@fieryfrost (316)
• Philippines
16 Feb 07
Thanks for the response. I don't think they are really violating the law, maybe the moral laws but that is still debatable.
@embattledsparkle (1072)
• United States
16 Feb 07
I think a hug, holding hands, and a quick kiss are all OK in public but making out in public I think is a No No because it can make others uncomfortable and what if little kids are around? Of course it was Valentines Day, maybe they just got swept up in the moment?
1 person likes this
@fieryfrost (316)
• Philippines
16 Feb 07
Thanks for the response! I was also considering that maybe they were bitten by the Vday bug! Yeah maybe but even if they could have made everybody's Vday more memorable if they didn't do that =) lol.
@michelledarcy (5220)
•
15 Feb 07
I don't find hugging and kissing in public even french kissing offensive. Its nice to see people in love, and happy to be with each other.
I think there are places when it is more appropriate than others though, I don't agree with couple feeling each other in parks and places where there are lots of children around.
1 person likes this
@fieryfrost (316)
• Philippines
16 Feb 07
Thanks for the response! Oh that is really bad...parks and the likes where innocent children can be witnesses to something they can't even understand! I agree with certain places that will be appropriate for such things.
@fatal_ivory (238)
• Philippines
16 Feb 07
For me, the P.D.A. is considered offensive if the people around you got affected negatively because of what you are doing. The degree of offensiveness varies on the places you choose to show it publicly and on the people around you. The people's perspective, culture and beliefs determines how they react on situations like that.
So, to be considered morally upright, just show some affection in a decent way. A simple hug and a kiss on the cheek is enough. But going beyond that, maybe is too much to share with other people. In the first place, there are other things that you can do publicly to show your affection to your partner without offending them.
1 person likes this
@fieryfrost (316)
• Philippines
16 Feb 07
Thanks for the response! You were really able to put everything together perfectly. You are right it really depends on the people around and how they are affected. Also, I guess simply holding each other's hand or whispering sweet words to each other are all enough to express how much your partner means a lot to you.
@lonewolfnan (4366)
• Canada
15 Feb 07
Expressing emotions seems to be a no-no in todays society.Do we have to define what is acceptable in kissing?Or hugging?This couple may have overdone the kiss a bit,but did they make a spectacle out of themselves?Sometimes we do get carried away and need a reminder where we are.
Hugging/kissing in public is alot better for children to see than a shooting or a fight.
@fieryfrost (316)
• Philippines
16 Feb 07
Thank you for the response! You have a good point, displaying affection is far better than witnessing violence. I think even as an adult I would choose that too.
@mashimaro (1094)
• Philippines
15 Feb 07
It depends to a person who saw the "public display of affection" how he/she manage it or how he/she define it.
1 person likes this
@Shaun72 (15959)
• Palatka, Florida
15 Feb 07
well I would rather keep that personal and I tyhink like in a restarant or while dinning I think it is sort of wrong in public French kissing. Hugging that's ok I can see that but being valguer in public no.
@fieryfrost (316)
• Philippines
16 Feb 07
Thank you for the response! I was really surprised when I saw them...it was late though like 10 pm, no kids around but I really personally felt weird.
@stephcjh (38473)
• United States
15 Feb 07
Wow. I can't believe people do not have morals and manners anymore it seems. I think the display of affection has a time and a place for all of it. It grosses me out when people rub their bodies up against each other out in public especially if there is children around. I think most displays of affection should be in private.
@fieryfrost (316)
• Philippines
16 Feb 07
Thanks for the reply! Oh speaking of that, there was a time when I was in a Japanese restaurant....God the couple across us was like (excuse me for the term) making out right there and then! What's worse is that it is a family restaurant so it was really weird to be around them. It was really creepy.
@sripriya (450)
• United States
15 Feb 07
Iam an Indian .I too feel kissing in public to be offensive.I get too embarrassed when people in front of me start carrassing each other and kissing.I think showing affection and love to your partner is divine and can be made in more privacy.Correct me if Iam wrong!
1 person likes this
@fieryfrost (316)
• Philippines
16 Feb 07
Thanks for the reply! I am guilty of kissing my husband in public as well...on the cheeks, lips and all that..what makes me feel weird is seeing a couple french kissing. I have nothing against kissing per se.
