Is public display of affection rude or not?

Question

I was a the metro, coming back from school. I sat down listening to my music. Then a young couple (people around 20) go into the metro wagon. I said like O.K their a couple. Then they looked around quickly and saw that the wagon was crowded, then they whispered something at each other (listening to music didn't listen to convo). A moment later they are kissing lightly. Then they take a break, look around and then kiss lightly again. This went on for 10 min until they got out.

I'm single. I feel that one Light Kiss is an acceptable thing to show Love. But more than that it's screaming insecurity.

So Is PDA Rude or not?

journeyman1126 · Accepted Answer

We've somehow gone backwards in this country since the sexual revolution.

If I walk past two lovers making out now, I practically applaud.

If I'm dating someone who gets freaked out by it, it's not for long.

We each have our responsibility to defend liberty and the pursuit of happiness in the US. If we don't we're just going to be painted into a corner by own own closed mindedness. We're already monitored on the Internet, they tried this past Spring to enact even more Draconian invasions of our privacy...

I'm on the edge of a Lewis Black rant. And expatriation.

The great thing about eyelids is they go up and down. Heads swivel left and right, up and down, so if a couple looks around to get the green light to kiss, and you take offence, find an interesting ad on the wall.

I'm assuming they still have those on subways and els. Unless they were too suggestive and someone ripped them down to pile on the bonfire at the next book burning.

front2back · Accepted Answer

Depends on the PDA. Couples should hug, hold hands, and give quick kisses in public. They are a couple. However, too many take it way farther than that. You shouldn't be french kissing, making out and other sh*t like that. No one wants to have a random couple feeling each other up and kissing like a**holes. Most couples PDA like this because they either don't have respect for others or because they are trying to show off.

I hate when I walk down the school hallway and all you see is couples against the wall going at it. a light peck on the cheek and hugging is good. but keep certain things to yourself.

Transgressionista · Accepted Answer

depends on what you are doing and your surroundings. For example, if there are little children present, then you probably shouldn't partake in it out of respect to the parents. Similar to if you are in a club, PDA is really not that big of a deal, if you are in a library, then you probably shouldn't be sucking one another's face off.  What you are talking about seems fine. They did take their surrounding somewhat into consideration, and if your only issue with them is because you feel lonely, that is something you should work on yourself.

CrystalMinds · Accepted Answer

I think it's okay to show the world you love each other, as long as it's just kissing. But when tongues start to show I just think "get a room".

A while ago I was sitting on the train and in the seats crossed in front of me (don't know how to explain but I could see them and they could see mee) there was a couple. Besides me there wasn't anybody there in the trainwagon. So they started kissing, tongues came out and he put his hand in her shirt. That was a bit too much in public in my opinion...

LexiNinja · Accepted Answer

It depends. Sometimes I tend to get really uncomfortable whenever I see couples kissing. Especially when their right beside you...It's like, do I watch or look away o.o awkward sh*t

DebiPie · Answer

I think PDA is acceptable, of course there is PDA & then there is just get down & dirty in public. What you described sounds fine to me. Light kissing is cool, they weren't going at it hot & heavy, so nothing wrong with that. Holding hands, hugging, kissing, it's all good. It isn't insecurity, it is affection. That's all. Showing love is not disrespectfull or obscene if it's tasteful. What you described seems tasteful.

Some folks, like you do not like it, that's fine too. So look away.

BTW, if you cannot show your s.o. affection in public, and can only do that in private, I think that's insecurity, and says quite a great deal about what you think about your relationship. Are you ashamed of her? Do you want to keep your options open? Was showing affection not appropriate in your family growing up? Hmm, much to think about.

miabeth2 · Answer

Like most things, in moderation it's okay. Holding hands, hugs, and small kisses are okay. Sometimes you get caught up in the moment, and that "little kiss" becomes a little more. That can be romantic & cute. But if it's happening on a regular bases, that's obnoxious.

It's like when people who are in relationships write something insanely sweet on the others Facebook wall. They could have said those things privately, but it's still cute to see! But if it's happening every other day, even just every week or so, it's annoying & everyone secretly wants to tell them to get over themselves & nobody cares!

JennyBenny318 · Answer

I just like hand holding in public. Sometimes I don't get to do that with my boyfriend outside in public because we're always dodging people around us and it's annoying to hold hands. So we just hold hands when we're alone at home watching a movie.  Kissing in public we don't like either and taking pictures of each other while your kissing. My sister does that a lot and posts it on Facebook. Just annoys the hell out of me. (Not meaning just a peak, it's like making out central.) Because making out always leads to sex.

jacquesvol · Answer

WHY would people be ashamed about PDA?

HAMLET

Get thee to a nunnery: why wouldst thou be a

breeder of sinners? I am myself indifferent honest;

but yet I could accuse me of such things that it

were better my mother had not borne me: I am very

proud, revengeful, ambitious, with more offences at

my beck than I have thoughts to put them in,

imagination to give them shape, or time to act them

in. What should such fellows as I do crawling

between earth and heaven? We are arrant knaves,

all; believe none of us. Go thy ways to a nunnery.

Read it here: link

eithyy · Answer

Well, there's a scale to it. Holding hands and small kisses are fine. I'm okay with that. Its cute. But when we're talking about making out, groping, and some serious petting, THAT'S really annoying. I don't need to see a couple practically going at it in plain view. It makes people really uncomfortable and its just in bad taste. If you're going to get yourself all worked up, do it in private please!

starlight124 · Answer

It depends on the PDA, hugging, holding hands, and light kissing is okay. But if they're all over each other and are becoming a distraction that others feel uncomfortable or take notice then it's rude and they should wait until they are alone to do such activities

Anonymous · Answer

i think its rude, light kisses is fine but when you're all over each other in a crowded public place you look like a dumbass and make others uncomfortable. I was on the train too one day standing holding the pole, and this retarded ass couple comes making out next to me leading on my hand on the pole, like what happened to excuse me? or better yet have some respect I'm a person too and standing here I had to slide over so they could continue making out taking up the entire space I wanted to slam their heads so bad and seriously had a rage of fire, people like that piss me off and I wish them hell.

alonely · Answer

It can be acceptable.  Schools take it way too seriously-holding hands, hugging, even kissing can be acceptable, even cute.  However, complete making out, nearly having sex, except with the clothes, all that can be rude.  Nobody wants to see someone else's tongues outside their mouths, or be witness to a public p*rn clip.

ElijahCynicism · Answer

I'm opposed to most peoples opinion on it... I think holding hands and light kisses is usually a little obnoxious, and totally unnecessary. Full-on getting into each other, however, is great. I won't settle until it is perfectly acceptable to f*** on Main Street.

MilaPohstro · Answer

To a point it's okay. If you do a hug or are holding hand...but when you start leaning against your car and feeling all over the body then no. Save that for your private time. Also what is the point of walking into Walmart if you want to make out? If you are walking with them or having a picnic okay you can do a peck. Their is more to love (and showing them you love them) than kissing and rubbing on each other.

goldgunsgirls · Answer

It depends. One time when I was young I was on a cruise with my family, and a young couple (early to mid 20s) was making out pretty passionately in the stairwell. I think things like that are rude. But if you're literally showing a public display of AFFECTION, that's fine. By that I mean, showing your affection rather than sexual attraction through things like hugging, cuddling, kissing (not making out), etc.

Anonymous · Answer

long story short ...i was on a bus when these two sick individuals sat right In front of me and started to make out and the lady's was putting her hands in his fly hole.so I change seats and they they purposely followed me and sat right in front of me and started making out again arhhhggg!

that was a very traumatic event for me .i was really trying to avoid looking at these two sh*t heads .

Daggersanctuary · Answer

It depends. If it's holding hands or a hug or a small kiss on the cheek then I would think it would be acceptable. You know, little innocent, cute things. But anything that might be better suited in the bedroom, like passionate kissing, groping, and the like would be rude and unsavory to the public, imo.

Anonymous · Answer

It's acceptable (to a point obviously). I was just in Europe for a little while, and people over there are much more open about displaying affection that they are here in North America. I am not sure why that is, but it just seems more the norm over there. I personally think it is fine, there is nothing wrong with people showing that they love each other.

greenbeans23 · Answer

No. I never understand why people are insulted by it. Just look away if it bothers you.

wilbur12 · Answer

Its fine to show your love in public. But what bothers me is when people are tongue kissing and damn near having sex. I think that's disrespectful to the public eye, especially if there are kids around

Anonymous · Answer

Depending on context and how much some is acceptable.

Lots of people around, possibly children, please keep it PG and light.

Dimly lit area where you almost expect it, a bit more is generally legit, just mind your own business.

Past that whatever people don't know, won't hurt them.

Anonymous · Answer

kissing is okay. I don't think it's "insecurity" I just think it's lack of empathy for the people around them. it's insecure if they are doing it knowing people they know are watching, to make an impression. but if it's around strangers I think they are just not caring about coming off as nasty or dirty.

snowangle · Answer

Holding hands and a few light kisses is cute in public. Anything more should be saved for private time.

ras144 · Answer

Kissing and Holding hands are acceptable. Dry humping, dirty touching, tongue licking and Public Sex = GROSS

Levin · Answer

It really does take a special kind of cynical bastard to get annoyed by people showing affection with each other. Granted it's a big vulgar if it's over the top, say French kissing, but otherwise...

samhradh_leannan · Answer

I don't think excessive PDA is necessarily a sign of insecurity, but it's definitely not polite. Personally I don't mind seeing actual kisses (not just a peck) in public, but making out for ten minutes is too much for sure.

DS4L_ · Answer

I hardly even hug my boyfriend in public. :/ I don't know if I'm over the top but I would never any kind of PDA. If my friends are PDAing I don't really care, but I personally feel like it's unclassy...

Vendrix · Answer

If they are looking for people to notice them, its rude.  If they are just enjoying being together so they kiss, its OK.  If they start going for full makeout (OR MORE!) then they should move out of the public eye to be polite.

nandyme · Answer

I don't think it is rude ... I mean its kinda eww to have people making out right there but not rude

caligirl3 · Answer

i think it depends on the situation, light kissing is OK. But a full make out session with tongues, is way too much.

Anonymous · Answer

I don't think it's rude unless the couple is practically having sex right there in public.

If you think PDA is rude, then you're probably too sensitive or lacking some PDA or maybe even affection at all in your life

calialltheway1993 · Answer

PDA is acceptable and cute to see couples showing their love to the world, but there's definitely a line they shouldn't cross.

dd26om · Answer

Pda stand for public. So what can be done in pubic is OK not over pushing the bondaries. Honestly if you would come in france, you'll see that at every corner.

sweet_18 · Answer

" But more than that it's screaming insecurity. "

how is that insecurity? You mean they want attention right?

Maybe. Or maybe they just simply wanted to kiss. I think if you're in a crowd, don't do it.

Blobb · Answer

^^ who gives. PDA is just normal to me. I do it too, if it makes whoever I'm with uncomfortable I guess I can be accomodating. Otherwise I don't care what others do.

gialuan · Answer

It depends on the type of PDA. If people are around, a peck here and there is as far as I'll go But if you're in a more secluded area where people aren't around, anything is fair game.

Prettygurl12 · Answer

Full on makeouts = not okay.  Holding hands/head on shoulder = okay.  One peck would be good, the more it happens increases the obnoxiousness of it.

Anonymous · Answer

I depends on the type of PDA.  a quick kiss, holding hands, PG stuff, that's fine.  but I personally hate it when I see a couple with their tongues shoved down each others' throats, it's just tacky and unnecessary.

cutybrittany · Answer

holding hands, a light kiss and hugging is acceptable but freaking making out and acting like the street is the bedroom that is a no no

Anonymous · Answer

I think its inappropriate because everyone is seeing you and probably even kids.

Myself, I don't like showing affection in public. Just hold hands and a one light kiss. Probably even hug. I'm a shy person.

Anonymous · Answer

I don't do it and I don't like to see it but at the same time I don't find it rude. I'd rather see a couple making out than a couple fighting in public.

I agree that for the most part couples do it for attention. You can tell it is when they look around to see who was watching. Annoying but far from rude.

jpinka · Answer

its not but I think they did it for attention lol. personally if I didn't like something I wouldn't look

mormollio · Answer

I voted rude, but I wouldn't call it rude more like unnecessary. Assuming they're doin' it hard core. Nothing wrong with holdings hands and pecking.

mi_amour · Answer

I think it's acceptable to KISS in public -- cute, even. But once people start groping, that's what it becomes too much!

TedStar · Answer

It's absolutely fine with me. People should be allowed to show their appreciation for the important people in their lives in public

Anonymous · Answer

Here's a person rule for PDA: If you would be uncomfortable witnessing your parents do it, you shouldn't do it yourself. So make-out are not OK, but a peck or hand-holding is totally fine

MrReal · Answer

I don't care what other people think. If I want to grab my girlfriend and suffocate her with my mouth then that's what I'm going to do and no one is going to tell me to get a room.

Katy16 · Answer

It depends on how much. Hand holding, hugging, a kiss or two, that's totally OK. But to much more than that is starting to get rude.

ImperfectDVM · Answer

It depends on what they are doing and where they are at.   I say it's acceptable- to a point.

Xx_DRE_xX · Answer

I think it's acceptable up to a certain extent to where it's just like really?

CindiluvsFriends · Answer

It depends on how much. But yeah,that's a little too much.

emzy-89 · Answer

A hug, holding hand, a quick peck is fine by me, anything else is a bit OTT though

Anonymous · Answer

I think it is fine as long as its within reason. I mean I don't want to see heavy petting while I'm enjoying dinner or a movie with my friends.

beautiulgirl347 · Answer

not depends on wheere it happend and how much but PDA can be both. the right kinda PDA the liht kiss is cool for me

Anonymous · Answer

I personally don't like showing PDA, I am very shy, plus it would just be uncomfortable to make out in front of other people. PDA is fine, if just a gentle hug, holding hands, and a kiss.

InMyHeart · Answer

It's not rude if they keep it modest and behind the line.

WoahBro · Answer

this is the most you should do in public any more is rude.

maddieboo99 · Answer

I personally don't think its rude, but some couples do it for attention. Me and my boyfriend we do that sometimes but we just hold hands and have one light kiss maybe two but that's it.

Anonymous · Answer

Anything more than a hug or a quick kiss is unacceptable

Lauramcutie9 · Answer

Depends on where the PDA is taking place, what kind of PDA, and who is around.

Becky89 · Answer

I like to show my love so I say its OK ;)

Alanaaa · Answer

Acceptable, but there's definitely a line.

Anonymous · Answer

Okay but within limits.

Anonymous · Answer

YES IT IS! They should respect single people!

Is public display of affection rude or not?

Most Helpful Opinions

Most Helpful Opinions

What Girls & Guys Said

Is public display of affection rude or not?

Most Helpful Opinions

Most Helpful Opinions

What Girls & Guys Said

We're glad to see you liked this post.