PDA: Legitimate actions or too much information

Friday, June 13, 2008

Yelena: Handholding, kissing, cuddling or any other PDA is inappropriate and inconsiderate.

Jessica: But you and I hold hands in public all the time. I always get a little kiss on the cheek before I leave.

Yelena: True, but there is a big difference between best friends and romantic partners. We are just friends (contrary to rumor).

Jessica: Body language shows an unspoken realm of communication, and that doesn’t stop in public.

Yelena: You should be secure enough in your relationship without the public announcement. The only time a kiss in public is acceptable is if your romantic partner is going off to war. If I wanted to see PDA, I would watch an adult movie. Respect your environment and the people in it.

Jessica: Wow, Yelena, you made a grown-up comment. You must be aware of your surroundings and judge your behavior accordingly. However, you could leave your partner feeling inadequate if you don’t show your willingness to show everyone how well he or she complements your life. What do you have to hide?

Yelena: Actions do speak louder than words. Yet, it’s sickening when couples say “I love you” every two seconds. It is as if you are so unconfident in your relationship that you need constant reassurance. There is a man in my life whom I hold dear to my heart. Throughout our relationship, he never showed PDA, except before sending me off to Europe. Before him, I did not understand the connotations of PDA. At social functions, we felt so closely connected on other levels that we did not need to be touching. I never felt more loved and secure in any other relationship.

Jessica: I used to think that PDA was bad until I met a man who refused it. Why? I was not the only girl he had to show off. Ladies, for the sake of your heart, you need to watch how your man refuses that ever so criticized PDA. Is it because he is truly self-conscious or is there another reason? My boyfriend showed his first display of affection immediately after our first kiss. We went to a bar in New York City and he held my hand proudly as if to say, “Yah, she’s mine. Jealous?” That legitimized our relationship.

Yelena: You are not on a reality TV show. Your relationship is for you and your partner alone. The way he treats you is important. However, partners should show this with their time, attention and commitment, not with tonsil hockey in the middle of campus.

Jessica: Agreed, but that attention shouldn’t end at the front door. Think about it this way. What is the first thing a child does when they find something they love: say dancing, baseball, or a drawing. They go to their parents and say, “Mommy, daddy, look!” It is natural to share your happiness with those around you. I’m not advocating making a statement on Wescoe Beach with your tongue, but if you won’t hold my hand, you’re telling me that you don’t want other people to know we’re together. Life is too precious to hide your affections.

Jessica Wicks is a Bakersfield,Calif., senior in journalism.

Yelena Pavlik is a Plano, Texas, senior in journalism.

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