How much of public display of affection is okay?

Public display of affection has become rampant just about everywhere.  Take a walk to your neighbourhood mall, the jogger's park, the theatre or even the road….you see it everywhere. The question is how much of PDA is okay and where to draw the line? Lets ask the men folk what they have to say about it.

Actor Kamal Kamaraju says, "PDA within limits is okay. Sexual explicitness in public is complete no according to me. The problem arises when there is sexual display of love. That is when people around you may get uncomfortable and take objection to your action. You want your child to grow in a healthy environment. So parents also should be very careful while displaying affection in front of their kids. Holding hands and a little hug is okay, but not beyond this."

One should remember that when you are in public you don't put people around you in discomfort. But model turned actor Miland Soman has to say that he is very unsure of where to draw the line. "When it comes to PDA I am very confused. I guess sex is public is not right. But if you are in a movie hall and sitting in the last row with your girl friend then who cares what you are doing. But if you are standing at the bus stop at 12 pm then one needs to be careful. But a hug is okay."

PDA is any display of affection between two individuals in public. This could be a simple action like a mother kissing her son on his forehead, a hug between a father and daughter or even an endearing embrace between two old friends who may be of the opposite sex.

While intimate hugging and kissing in public may be okay abroad, it is not acceptable in India. But PDA depends on each couple. You need to remember that in India overt displays of PDA are still not acceptable."

While you may put down your display to love and warmth for your partner there is a time and place for everything. Psychologist Dr. Anjali Chabri says, "There is a line one can draw between decent and indecent behaviour. There is a time and place for everything. And the public eye is not the place to display sexual affection."

We need to admit one thing that India is a conservative society. So we need to be very careful when it comes to PDA. If you are on the road holding hands is okay, but a kiss is a complete no because we should remember that the general public is not used to it and that there is a time and place for every thing. But if you are at a pub in the company of peers then a smooch is completely okay. 

Remembering his days as a student literary personality Anil Dharkar says, "When I first went to England as a young student it was a kind of a culture shock for me to see both young and old couple kissing each other in public places like the park and what shocked me even more was that the local people ignored it as something that is very natural. So what I want to say is that what is common in their society may not be common in our society."

Understand that showing warmth for your partner is one thing. However when your emotions overtake you or you cannot control it then there is a problem.

While you think that the rickshaw, movie hall or the beach is as private as you can get, you need to re-think your options for places. This form of affection is best left for complete privacy. Remember that your behaviour in public could influence and impressionable child or scandalize a traditional couple. So do think of the people around you before you indulge in PDA.

HOW MUCH OF PDA IS OKAY

• A  hug - A bear hug is perfectly fine as long as you let go of your better half in a few seconds. A small kiss for a second is okay.

• Holding Hands - Nothing can be more endearing than a couple holding hands. This form of PDA is okay so go ahead and hold her hand for as long as you want.

• Arm round his waist - Putting your arm round her waist is okay as long as it stays there. You may get a few glances from people around you but if it stays at the waist then there is no problem at all.

• His arm round your shoulder - This is a protective gesture and hence it is okay.