You are enjoying the movie but are suddenly distracted by the couple in front of you. They are getting more than frisky and you are uncomfortable for yourself and your teenage daughter next to you.

Public displays of affection (PDA) are rampant just about everywhere. Take a walk to your neighborhood mall, the local jogger’s park, the theatre or even the road….you see it everywhere.

The question is, is it okay?

Psychologist Dr Leena Bahrani says, “Nowadays everything seems to be accepted. Saying that though, people brought up with a good value system will stay within limits when in public. There is a time and place for everything and when in public one should behave oneself.”

Understanding PDA

PDA is any display of affection between two individuals in public. This could be a simple action like a mother kissing her son on his forehead, a hug between a father and daughter, an endearing embrace between two old friends.

Dr Bahrani says, “The problem arises when the display becomes sexual. That is when people around you may get uncomfortable and take objection to your actions.

What is okay?

While intimate hugging and kissing in public may be okay abroad, it is not acceptable in India. That said, PDA depends on each couple. You need to remember that in India overt displays of PDA are still not acceptable.

Here’s what is acceptable:

Light kissing: A peck on the cheek, a light one-second kiss on the lips, a kiss on the forehead or the head, or a gentle brush of your lips against his hand is okay.

Keep the French-kissing and other forms of intense kissing for private moments.

A bear hug: A bear hug is perfectly fine as long as you let go of your better half in a few seconds. A soft light kiss on the cheek too is okay at the end of the hug.

Holding Hands: Nothing can be more endearing than a couple holding hands. This form of PDA is okay so go ahead and hold his hand for as long as you want.

Arm round his waist: Putting your arm round his waist is okay as long as it stays there. You may get a few glances from people around you but if it stays at the waist then there is no problem at all.

His arm round your shoulder: This is okay, infact it is a protective gesture

Remember when in public make sure that you do not put people around you at discomfort on account of your behavior.

According to Dr. Leena Bahrani while you may put down your display to love and warmth for your partner there is a time and place for everything.

Totally Unacceptable

Now that you know what is okay here is what you should completely avoid when you are in public.

French Kissing: Save the tongue exercise for when you two are alone and away from public eye.

Massaging his backside: Again this is an extremely intimate form of affection and is best left for when you two are alone.

Feeling each other up While you think that the rickshaw, movie hall or the beach is as private as you can get, you need to re-think your options for places. This form of affection is best left for complete privacy.

Dr Leena Bahrani says, “There is a line one can draw between decent and indecent behavior. There is a time and place for everything. And the public eye is not the place to display sexual affection.”

Understand that showing warmth for your partner is one thing. However when your emotions overtake you or you cannot control it then there is a problem.

Remember that your behavior in public could influence an impressionable child or scandalize a traditional couple. So do think of the people around you before you indulge in PDA.

Source: Ibnlive, Flickr

The Delhi High Court on Monday came to the rescue of a newly-married young couple who were caught canoodling at the Dwarka Metro station by a policeman.

The case deals with a couple who got married on Sep 4 last year without the knowledge of their parents. They were waiting at the Metro station for seeking the services of a lawyer to register their marriage.

While they were waiting at the Metro station near the Dwarka court complex, an Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) accosted them and allegedly told them that he knew what they were up to.

The police registered a First Information Report (FIR) for an offence under sections 294 (obscene acts) and 34 (common intention) of the Indian Penal Code.

The police official did not bother to quash the FIR after finding out that the couple was married and even filed a charge sheet Jan 30 in the trial court.

The couple then moved the high court seeking a stay on the lower court proceedings.

Justice S. Muralidhar not only stayed the trial court proceedings but also pulled up the police for not inquiring properly before registering the case and also issued a notice to Delhi Police. HC was surprised how Singh disregarded the fact that the two were married and registered an FIR for obscenity. Moreover, neither in the FIR nor in the subsequent chargesheet did the police attest any statement of witnesses or ‘passersby’, leaving no doubt in the mind of the court that charges were cooked up.

“It is inconceivable how, even if one were to take what is stated in the FIR to be true, the expression of love by a young married couple in the manner indicated would attract the offence of obscenity and trigger the coercive process of law,” the judge noted, and slated the matter for Feb 25.

Guys, what do you think about this verdict? Can we allow any police personnel to interpret the law according to their convenience? Remember that there is a fine line between obscenity and expression of love.