Ladylike Laws: On PDA
Affection is a normal, healthy way of expressing your love for someone special. It's a good thing to have in a relationship. Very good! And how you choose to show your love behind closed doors is entirely up to you. However, there are certain standards when it comes to publicly displayed affection (commonly known as "PDA") that I think far too many people ignore when showing their honey some street side love...
I'll be honest–I've been one of those people who roll their eyes after catching a hot and heavy couple smooching in line at the movie theater. It's annoying and uncomfortable. But then again, I'm sure I've been guilty of such social transgressions myself. At the end of the day, there's a fine line between a sweet moment and a grotesque public groping. Unfortunately this is a line that is blurred for many couples. That said, I've decided to take on the subject of PDA today in my newest installment of Ladylike Laws and lay down the law once and for all on public displays of affection. Here goes...
PDA-Approved Moves
- Hugs
- Holding hands
- Quick kisses (in good taste...no drawn out make out sessions please)
Bottom line: Don't do anything in public that you wouldn't want your grandmother to see. Also, do not do anything in excess.
It's really quite simple. And if you are looking to squeeze, grope, or smother, then get a room.
Sadly not everyone has gotten the memo on this... So be sure to pass this post around. Hopefully your PDA-offending friends will get the hint!
How do you handle an awkward PDA moment? Do you think PDA is okay? Where do you draw the line?
I'd love to hear your thoughts! Be sure to share them in the comments below.
For more etiquette tips such as how to handle first dates, dine in restaurants, ace a job interview, hang on a plane, or simply how to hold your drinks properly, check out the Etiquette section!
XO Lauren
Photo Credit: A Midwestern Touch
You might also like...
Ladylike Laws: To Hug or Not to Hug?
Ladylike Laws: Interview Etiquette
Ladylike Laws: Restaurant Dining
Ladylike Laws: How to Hold Your Drinks
94 comments
-
I handle an awkward PDA moment by causally smiling and giving soft affection. The smiling with a giving goes toward the reaction of the action giving to me during the PDA. Yes, most certainly PDA is okay?... I draw the line with affection in a relationship in front of social media. It upsets me to be betrayed emotionally in public when the guys know about us. -
Agree totally with it, but y boyfriend and I have this thing whenwe go shopping - we have to kiss on every escalator we go on, but the kisses aren't too excessive! -
I completely agree! I always feel uncomfortable when I see couples throwing themselves at eachother but then again I look back at my last relationship and I may have been just as guilty. I think a quick smooch is the most PDA I'll ever show in public. -
Agree with the post if you are in the U.S.! I was traveling with my boyfriend and his family in Chile this past winter break and we adhered to the PDA-approved moves above and we kept getting mistaken for brother and sister! This is because in Chile the PDA is more affectionate and accepted. So I would say just stay cognizant of the cultural norms! -
I agree! I roll my eyes at couples that are all over each other in public. I mean, people don't need to see that! I think these are some GREAT general rules that I need to send around to a few specific people! When it's awkward in public, I just act it never happened and try to continue whatever I'm doing, even though it can be quite challenging! PDA is fine as long it's controlled. Couples can do whatever they want behind closed doors. But in public, keep it G!
xo, Rachel -
There is definately a time and place for OTT PDA's. I agree that love is lovely, but seeing two people playing tonsil tennis and trying to cop a feel in public is more like lust. Seeing two people hold hands, with a few kisses here and there and holding eachother, now thats love. -
I totally agree! I hate when I see a boy...and a girl...and they can't stop to lick each other...YUCK! If they want to do this, they can do this! But not in public! -
http://www.famalegoods.net
Cheapest Air Jordan Shoes,Tiffany Jewelry Company,Wholesale Hollister
Clothing
Online Store:
Cheapest Vans Shoes $37
Fashion Tiffany Bangles $20
Wholesale Hollister Tshirt $18
jordan shoes $38
nike shox $37
Christan Audigier bikini $18
Ed Hardy Bikini $18
Sinful short_t-shirt_woman $16
http://www.famalegoods.net/ -
I think you got it right. In my opinion, it's okay to see a couple that looks like they're in love - holding hands, quick little kisses. But watching a couple make out in public is so gross and awkward. Save it for a less public place.
Visit my new blog! www.alyssamarierose.com :) -
I actually kinda love pda's (i don't do it myself) but love is just so lovely!
xo Emily @ http://www.hungrydelights.com -
It is very awkward when a couple is making out in public. I always just do my best to look the other way and ignore them. -
I do the same thing than you when I saw a heavy couple smooching in public. I don't like excessive love it's like get room or stop ! ahah Thanks for the post, I really like it :)
http://fasshionstreet.blogspot.ca/ -
New blog post.. review on a very affordable makeup brand !!!
http://www.shellzdoll.com/2013/01/16/essence-cosmetics-2/ -
-
Handling an awkward PDA moment? It's a struggle to keep myself from rolling my eyes, but I usually just look away and remind myself that I have no control over what 'they' are doing. If this couple doesn't mind embarrassing themselves then so be it! In my eyes PDA should be common sense! You should know when to draw the line
Alicia~ -
Great post! You definitely made the point very clear. People need to learn to not only respect others, but to respect themselves. That's why in other cultures, you don't ever see extreme cases of PDA.
http://www.beautytosparkle.blogspot.com/ -
i hold hands with my boyfriend then we kiss on the side when he came up to me but it a sweet and quick kiss. he hug when we stop at places to look at stuff at windows. really cute stuff -
Good point, but sometimes you just don't care who's watching!
www.selfhelpyourselff.wordpress.com -
i completely agree with everything you have to say! i was at disney world over christmas and i saw multiple couples engaging in inappropriate pda. i saw one leaning against a rail groping, straddling, and hardcore making out...pda like that is inappropriate anywhere...but especially at a theme park geared towards young children with thousands of them walking right past these two. oh yeah, it was also in broad daylight.
-
-
I think hand holding is so sweet and loving. For me that's all I will share in the company of others.
Love from South Africa
http://arumlilea.blogspot.com -
I agree with your rules completely. Although something that I think must be noted... People dry-humping at dances.
Head down ass up grinding is pretty classless, too, but nothing disgusts me more to see people against the wall basically going at it in public. (My college is even JESUIT!) Intensely slutty grinding was prevalent in high school, but in college it just got so much worse. Of course, if I expressed my disdain for that raunchy PDA to anyone at my college, that would make me a prude. I just remind myself that not only are they ignorant to my sex life but it is none of their business. If I wanted it to be their business, I would be displaying it as grotesquely in public as they do.
I'd rather be a classy type of sexy that is respectable and does nothing to harm my future reputation rather than a trashy type of slut that deserves no respect for those public actions. -
Etiquette posts are some of my favorite. I'm definitely passing this one on! Of course I know I've had a slip or two, but I have many friends who I consider classy ladies who've definitely been guilty of TMI PDA a few too many times. This is the perfect way to give them a hint, and it won't seem out of the ordinary because I'm always passing along your posts. Thank you Lauren! xxo -
-
Yes, I agree! Some people need to learn not to be so public about they way are with each other!
For more information on fashion adn beauty please checkout my blog at: http://myfashavenue.blogspot.ca/ Today's post: Favourite Celebrity Gown - 2013 Golden Globe Awards
Get inspired and follow me on Twitter and Instagram: @MyFashAvenue
xo
Deanne
Join the Discussion!