July 12, 2005

PDA

This is a rant against PDA: not the handheld kind, but the hand-holding kind. Sis, who belongs to the next generation, tells me that PDA stands for Public Display of Affection.
I’ve seen countless arguments in favor of PDA, which convince me that it is perfectly okay for people to cozy up (note the archaic use of language) in front of all and sundry. I’m not supposed to object in my silent and invisible way to the sight of love-lorn (“love” being highly doubtful in some cases) couples lolling on sofas in a coffee parlour or suchlike in the middle of the day.
However. I object. Very muchly. When I “don’t” go to Lodhi Garden except for an occasional morning walk, I am respecting the privacy of people who cannot find a place to be alone together in this city. But when I am walking into a coffee shop at four in the evening with someone who is strictly a friend, I do not want to see people making out. And don’t ask me to ignore them because I cannot. And don’t ask me not to notice their uncouth behaviour towards the rest of the world.
Hypocritically enough, this does not bother me in a non-Indian context. But in a country where the girl’s neighbor’s sister-in-law is sure to see this scene, and the girl and the boy are sure to break up after they have realized that their families will never accept them, and the girl’s prospective groom’s uncle will make enquiries about the girls “crackter” in the neighborhood, PDA seems like carelessly imported goods.
On the other hand, maybe I should scout for an old age home for myself.
If anyone who reads this disagrees with me, just leave a smiley. Indulge a lunatic. If, by any chance, you agree, do leave a comment and surprise me.
Joker Anna: You can leave hugs. That kind of PDA is totally acceptable!

13 comments:

Red Inked said...

I say, "Get a room you two, would'ya!"
-Nish

Hornswoggler said...

Kahini and my fave thing in the Dalli used to be checking out the PDA couples and doing 'crakter assesment.' It's quite fun.

Hornswoggler said...

...but seriously some couples need PDA to feel secure. This is observation from friends of my outdated generation.

Domesticated Bachelor said...

*HUGS* :)
a spontaneous PDA is quite the much okay but the ones that regularly do it... Grrrr! it sometimes irritates you.

Tipsy Topsy said...

Can I please leave a Kiss? Muahhh! :P

Anonymous said...

Totally agree! :)

eismcsquare said...

:-) :-) :-) :-)

heretic said...

I only feel jealous, but then I come from Mumbai, where love simply doesn't have enough space in crowded jont families--PDAs are ok, yaar. Chill maarneka: doosra taraf dekhneka, and moongfali theek se chabaneka. Samjhe na? :P

Red Inked said...

Thats what I am saying 'heretic,' "Aadmi hai aamdi ko payar karega..."

shub said...

raam raam raam!! aaj ke bacche!! :p
i do agree inky!

Jade said...

I agree with joker. Spontaneous PDA is okay, cute even, and in public parks and stuff, it's pretty much expected. But I do usually feel uncomfortable with it. Partly plain old jealousy. And partly.. well, it just makes me uncomfortable! :)

Deepak said...

There are ways of expressing affection publically that are much subtler yet more intimate than what one sees these kids doing. Before your mind races to racier scenarious, let me add that I have only Shubha Moudgal's 'Seekho Na' on my mind.

Anonymous said...

I have a tendency to go "eeeeew" when I see PDA, especially when I am in the company of people who should not be seeing it.
I think it shouldn't go beyond holding hands.
It gets very distracting and then there is a disconcerting silence which no one wants to break after having gawked at the couple's antics.
--kk