PDA: How mush is too mush?

When it comes to love and expressing it, there can never be a right or a wrong way. PDA (Public Display of Affection) is known to elicit different reactions from onlookers — while some go, ‘aww’, for a few others, it’s super uncomfortable. But in the end, it’s a personal choice.

“Most people will agree that holding hands and occasional tender touches or glances are good ways to show your affection in public,” says relationship expert Shivani Sadhu.

“Things which were earlier confined to their bedrooms, couples are now doing in public. Societal acceptability has increased. But yes, any behaviour that causes problems for others should be avoided,” says psychiatrist Dr Manish Jain. A burst of emotions on social media, with couples detailing everything, has become the new normal. “For them, it is not about showing off; it is normal behaviour. Also, some are trying to emulate what is being done by other people,” Jain adds. “The reason why couples may do it is because they want to showcase the strength of their relationship. They want to mask the weaknesses in their relationship,” says Sadhu.

Kshitij Singh, a 21-yearold law student, feels that the comfort of one’s partner is the most important. “If you love someone, you don’t have to display affection publicly. Get a room — not because log kya kahenge, but privacy bhi ek cheez hoti hai,” he says. For him, there’s a fine line between showing affection in friends’ company, and PDA in front of strangers.

However, for 26-year-old HR professional, Aakriti Arora, PDA is inevitable. She says, “My boyfriend and I are working professionals, and we usually meet in public after work. I can’t help but steal a kiss or play with his hair. And anyway, what’s wrong with that? We are in love and we have no shame showing it off!”

Public display of affection is a personal choice