• Skip to main content
  • Skip to header right navigation
  • Skip to site footer
College Magazine logo

College Magazine

College Life, Dating, Career & Campus Advice

  • Colleges
    • College Guides
    • College Rankings
    • Campus Life
      • Academics
      • Dating
      • Freshman Year
      • Health
      • Social Change
      • Party
    • Find Your College
  • Majors
    • All Majors
    • Most Popular Majors
    • Choosing a Major
  • Intern
    • Internship Directory
    • How to Get an Internship
    • How to Write a Resume
    • How to Write a Cover Letter
    • How to Interview
    • How to Network
    • Career 101
    • Find Your Passion Career
  • Money
    • How to Make Money
    • How to Save Money
    • How to Get a Job
    • Credit Cards 101
    • FAFSA
    • Ramen Project
  • Travel
    • Study Abroad
    • College Spring Break
    • How to Travel Cheap
    • Things to Do
  • Shop
    • College Magazine Shop
    • Gift Guides
    • College Packing List
Home » Latest Posts » PDA: Affectionate or Uncomfortable?
Life

PDA: Affectionate or Uncomfortable?

FacebookTweet
35
Tori Lewis September 24, 2011

When you’re in love, or lust, it’s sometimes hard to keep your hands to yourself. Public displays of affection, or PDA, range from holding hands to behavior that would make a porn star blush. 

There are a variety of reasons why couples participate in PDA. Sometimes, they are so in love that they barely seem to notice that they’re in public. Other times, they are slightly intoxicated and have lowered inhibitions causing them to show more affection in front of people than they normally would. And often, it can feel dangerous and sexy knowing that others are watching a private act, a form of exhibition that can crank up the heat of a simple kiss.

Whatever the reason, it’s important to remember that you are in public and your actions can make others feel uncomfortable. Those around you may have very different views on PDA than you do. Opinions on the subject span on a wide spectrum and you never really know how those around you feel.

“I’m okay with [PDA] until it starts getting really heated,” said Steven Kirby, a sophomore at the University of Cincinnati. He said that his personal style is slightly conservative, but that he doesn’t see it as a “big deal.” Amanda Espaldon, a sophomore attending Xavier University, felt more uncomfortable with others’ public displays of affection. “I think there's a limit to acceptable PDA. I don't think you need to have PDA all the time, or even at all,” she said, adding, “If there’s too much, it just gets awkward.”

So while you and your partner might both enjoy PDA, others around you might not feel the same way. Public displays of affection are always a question of degree and some forms are more acceptable than others. Holding hands is generally acceptable, even in more conservative situations. Quick kisses are often seen as sweet and romantic. Anything beyond that, and you risk offending others. 

So how can you show your partner you care without sucking off their face in front of your friends? Get creative. After all, holding hands for several hours can get boring, not to mention sweaty. A flirtatious text message in a crowded room is sexy and discrete. Simple acts like sharing food, holding open doors or buying each other drinks, are a way to show your affection without making those around you squirm.


trending

127

How Graduation is Causing Me a (Good) Existential Crisis

83

Adulting with Your Mom Is Fun

56

An Interview with ASU Tempe’s Student Body President


In some situations, PDA is expected and accepted; dark frat parties and bars are often privy to the most scandalous of public acts. Getting a little hot and heavy here will probably not offend those around you, though it may elicit rolled eyes and remarks including the phrase “get a room.” The same actions at brunch, work, or church would probably result in much stronger reactions. If you spend time as a couple hanging out with your other friends, PDA can affect how much these friends enjoy their time around you and how they view you as a couple. While your friends’ opinions should not make or break your relationship, it’s always a good sign if they’re on your side… and excessive PDA can hurt that. “I don’t think PDA is necessary when you’re out with other friends,” Kirby agreed, although he generally feels okay with couples being included as part of the group. Espaldon clarified that “the degree of their PDA affects how comfortable I am” hanging out with a couple.

Perhaps you are so in love that your inhibitions are lowered or perhaps you enjoy a little exhibitionism. Whatever your reason for enjoying PDA, keep in mind that those around you may not enjoy it quite so much. Public displays of affection should never be an essential part of your relationship’s survival and should be toned down in situations that require more decorum…and if you’re ever in doubt: “get a room!”

About Tori Lewis

Sophomore > English and Feminist Studies > Stanford University

Why You Shouldn’t Go for a Run on the Hedonic Treadmill

5 Ways to Survive Grueling Summer Classes 

What To Do Next When You Don’t Know What To Do

Q&A with ASCEND app Creators Sydney Campos and David Richeson

How a Last-Minute Gap Semester Changed My Life

Is Online Learning Right for You?

10 Things All International Students Understand

5 Pre-Finals Rituals to Follow for Optimum Study Time

Life Lessons I Learned in Fitness Classes

Previous Post:Transfering: Sometimes the Grass Really is Greener
Next Post:Mainstream Myths

colleges

  • College Guides
  • College Rankings
  • Campus life
  • Academics
  • Dating
  • Freshmen Year
  • Health
  • Party

majors

  • All College Majors
  • Most Popular Majors
  • Choosing a Major

intern

  • Internships Directory
  • How to Write a Resume
  • How to Write a Cover Letter
  • How to Interview
  • How to Get an Internship
  • How to Network

money

  • How to Make Money
  • How to Save Money
  • How to Get a Job
  • Credit Cards 101
  • College Loans

travel

  • Study Abroad
  • College Spring Break
  • How to Travel Cheap
  • Things to Do

shop

  • College Packing List
  • Gift Guides
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS Feed
  • Twitter
  • About Us
  • Team
  • Write
  • Apply
  • Privacy Policy
  • Sign Up
  • Advertise
  • My Account
  • Cart

College Magazine logo

Copyright © 2023 Powered by BizBudding