Is public display of affection (PDA) OK?

I was eating pizza in a fast-food restaurant with a friend. I looked around, and then shot my eyes to a couple standing beside a mall’s guide map near us. The girlfriend wrapped her arms around her boyfriend’s neck, and the boyfriend started to kiss her. It wasn’t a quick kiss, but a prolonged one with.....tongue. I knew it was rude to eye them, but what would you expect me to react? It was no longer private when done in a public place, right?

It wasn’t the first time I’ve seen such a display in public areas. Every time I see public displays of affection (PDA), I feel like telling the couple, ‘Get a room, please.’ I am sure this is something uncomfortable for most everyone. It is also something inappropriate in front of children.

I don’t want to sound so old-fashioned or naïve and act as if I was an old mama. But can you imagine, a couple near you getting hot and heavy while you were so focused, trying to pocket the black ball on a pool table? OK, fine. It is a poolroom, but may still be something uncomfortable for the average guests.

In Europe, Canada and the United States it is normal to see people holding hands, kissing (french kissing) and caressing each other. In places such as bars, nightclubs, and strip clubs, acts such as grinding (dance erotically) and french kissing are common. I don’t find the public display of affection inappropriate in those places. It can still be tolerated. What meant here is PDA can be such an unacceptable behaviour in public places such as restaurants, malls, offices, schools, campuses – and particularly places where children are around.

In our lax society, privacy today may be unnecessary, where the practice of making out in a bedroom is dead, replaced by the practice of treating a packed mall like their bedroom. Is it very important to show other people that they are unconditionally in love? Let’s not get silly about this. Holding hands is OK. But kissing (french kissing) in public is a big no-no. You will do the right thing if someday you ask a security guard to handle such a situation (LOL).