When do PDA's cross the line?

[Hollyday]

So, just got back from a rather uncomfortable evening out where I was sat in-between a couple who held hands OVER me all night, occasionally leaning over to repeatedly kiss each other on the arm Gomez + Morticia Adams stylee. Later, when we were all standing at the bar they had a full 10-minute snog, followed by a foot massage. In a pub. Seriously???!!! And I can't even excuse it by saying they're a new couple all loved up - they've been together for 8 months. Needless to say I escaped as soon as I could.

How much PDA-ing is too much? I'm certainly not against it all together - seeing people kissing/holding hands etc doesn't bother me at all. I'll put my hand up and admit that I have kissed people in public, but never when we've gone out with a group of friends. As far as I'm concerned that's just rude.

Full-disclosure: I'm a bitter, twisted old spinster! This may colour my opinion ever so slightly...

Captcha: funny farm. I keep getting this one - Is the internet trying to tell me something or is it just becoming self-aware?

 

[smearyllama]

If they stop being cute or funny to bystanders and start actively making people uncomfortable, then that's about the point where it's gone too far, I say.

 

[Dr Pussymagnet]

Eh, it doesn't really bother me all that much. Unless they're whippin dicks out who cares.

 

[Hal10k]

When they delete all of my stored phone numbers, forcing me to re-enter them all by hand.

No jury would convict me for what I did to that Blackberry.

 

[Rawne1980]

I've seen everything from hand holding to public sex parties.

None of it bothers me as long as peoples bodily fluids .... and baby oil .... stay the fuck out of my beer.

Don't know how many of you have seen strippers but I went to a club one night and it had male and female strippers on .... nothing unusual there, a lot of us have seen it all before.

So I toddle off and get a pint, the next thing I know one of the male strippers has slopped baby oil down himself and flicked it off the end of his cock.

Nothing wrong there, it's all part of the show.

Apart from it landed in my fucking ale .... I was not amused.

Not really a display of public affection but the point stands. I don't care what people do in public as long as they keep it out of my alcohol.

 

[Vampire cat]

I get what your asking but I don't understand what "PDAing" is Oo.

If they're holding hands OVER you, I'd suggest swapping seats with one of them cause that's just awkward for everyone...

And if someone did like that I'd excuse myself and go home or hang out with someone else =p.

 

[Eamar]

I'd say your experience is definitely unacceptable, since they were being downright rude and disrespectful to you.

I have no issue with couples showing their affection for each other in public within reason. I personally wouldn't have an issue with a couple sat in the corner of the pub, at their own table indulging in a "full 10 minute snog" so long as they weren't getting too... gropey. Or vocal. However, doing the same at a table with other people is crossing the line in my opinion.

It's a massively subjective thing though. I personally try to keep in mind the sort of company I'm in and how people might react when I'm out with a partner. I have no desire to make other people feel uncomfortable. Unless they're the sort of person to be offended by seeing a couple holding hands or hugging, in which case they can GTFO

 

[Owyn_Merrilin]

Why didn't you just not sit in between them?

I dunno I'm fine with pretty much all PDA's as long as it's not being rude (ie I'm the only other person there and we're all talking and they stop mid-conversation to start eating each others faces). People doing that doesnt make me uncomfortable, why should it? I just carry on living my life and not care that two people are doing something that really has no effect on me.

When it goes too far? Well I've had to kick people out of the movie theatre for fucking during the movie.

This. OP, I get the feeling they were giving you a not-so-subtle hint to trade seats with one of them. Definitely seems like a passive agressive way of sending you that message.

I agree with the rest of it too; it doesn't hurt anybody, let them have their fun. Trying to get people to stop just smacks of being jealous that you're not the one making out in public (or in general.) That last part wasn't aimed at you specifically, more at anyone who takes a huge issue with the idea of PDAs.

 

[General Twinkletoes]

What the fuck? They were holding hands over you?

Yeah, that's a little too far. If they're actively in your way and doing things that disrupt whatever you're doing, that crosses the line.

 

[Clearing the Eye]

Have sex on the seat by the bus stop, for all I care. Sex is a non-issue to me.

 

[NinjaDeathSlap]

I'd say at the point when they are actually invading other people's personal space in order to do it (like what they did to you), then they should knock it off. Other than that so long as stuff stays underneath clothing while in public then it's not my business.

However, it sort of varies based on environment as well I guess. For example, I was watching a performance of Hamlet this one time, when the couple sat next to me (not young by any means, they both looks at least 45) started properly making out. I'm talking more than kissing her, hands were going places. Now I personally wouldn't have minded them doing something like that on a park bench or whatever, but when I'm forced to sit next to them, cramped, for several hours trying to concentrate on the play while the two people who kinda reminded me of my Mum and Dad play tonsil hockey with vigorous enthusiasm... No. I'm sorry, just no.

 

[JokerboyJordan]

I get what your asking but I don't understand what "PDAing" is Oo.

If they're holding hands OVER you, I'd suggest swapping seats with one of them cause that's just awkward for everyone...

And if someone did like that I'd excuse myself and go home or hang out with someone else =p.

Public Displays of Affection.

In my opinion, as long as it's being respectful of others in your close proximity, then sure.
There is an invisible line of sorts, and it's why my girlfriend and I never publicly made out.

But if we were in the corner of a cinema, where we weren't bothering anybody, then it's fair game.

 

[Beautiful Tragedy]

When the nipple makes an appearance.

seriously, nothing bothers me unless it get's "intimate"

 

[EeveeElectro]

I absolutely hate people making out in front of me.
I'm not lonely or a spinster (yet) but it just makes me sick hearing people kiss and slurp all over each other. You can't keep off them for a little bit? Maybe a snog, little kisses and cuddling is fine. Dry humping is stupid and something disgusting 14 year old chavs do.

Especially if they're a couple who live together, they can get right into it at home.
It's just me personally. Seeing and hearing people kiss makes me want to vomit. I'm not jealous, I just can't stand it. I have to plug my ears when they do it on TV.

 

[Canadamus Prime]

When I first read the title I thought you were talking about Blackberries and Androids and the like, so I was wondering what line you could possibly be talking about. Then of course I read the OP and realized you were talking about Public Displays of Affection not Personal Data Assistants.

As for the topic at hand, I suppose I'm going to have to go with this:

If they stop being cute or funny to bystanders and start actively making people uncomfortable, then that's about the point where it's gone too far, I say.

Where that point is depends on the company you keep I guess. When it comes to your situation, I would think that common courtesy (another one of those terms that is common in name only) would dictate that your friends keep their PDAs to a minimum till they got somewhere more private out of courtesy for you. ...or at the very least offer to switch seats so they weren't reaching over you.

 

[The Funslinger]

I've seen everything from hand holding to public sex parties.

None of it bothers me as long as peoples bodily fluids .... and baby oil .... stay the fuck out of my beer.

Don't know how many of you have seen strippers but I went to a club one night and it had male and female strippers on .... nothing unusual there, a lot of us have seen it all before.

So I toddle off and get a pint, the next thing I know one of the male strippers has slopped baby oil down himself and flicked it off the end of his cock.

Nothing wrong there, it's all part of the show.

Apart from it landed in my fucking ale .... I was not amused.

Not really a display of public affection but the point stands. I don't care what people do in public as long as they keep it out of my alcohol.

You tell the best stories, you know. Did you keep drinking it, or did you get a new one?

OT: I've never had a problem with it. I think parties are the place you tend to take it a little further, but in general I still don't have a problem with it either. Admittedly when I'm in a relationship, I do a fair bit of PDA. That said, I try to be polite about it.

 

[evilneko]

Thought this thread would be about palmpilots /geek

I say, "at the point at which the couple is unwilling to be filmed" 'cus I'm whipping out the camera to do just that. XD

 

[LetalisK]

I think a better question would be why you put up with them holding hands and going all Adams family across you.