When Public Displays of Affection Go Too Far

You've probably heard some say it, or you've said it yourself: "You two are so cute together you make me sick." Or sometimes it's an annoyed, "Why don't you two get a room?!" Whatever the exclamation, it's usually in response to someone locking lips in a public place. Whatever side of it you are on, it pays to heed the disgusted words or risk offending someone.

Public displays of affection affect people in different ways and one should be mindful of the feelings that can be elicited by 'carrying on' in public. When you are feeling passionate you may be oblivious to the presence of people around you but you may accidentally hurt someone.

Someone who has just lost a loved one may find your public display of affection heartbreaking; a reminder of one they can no longer kiss. Someone who has ended a relationship may find it agonizing as a reminder of the one that got away. Older people may find it annoying as their generation was more modest and saved serious affection for times when the intimacy could be carried further than just holding hands and kissing. Single people and lonely people will feel similarly as it will remind them of the fact that they are alone. A consideration of the kind of people around you will save everyone from feelings of resentment or in some cases embarrassment.

Although holding hands is considered sweet by most people, rarely is it acceptable to openly passionately kiss someone in public, groping is never ever polite, and going further than that is grounds to be arrested in most states.

Here are some guidelines for those of us who can't keep their hands off of each other.

A look says a lot: You can lock eyes with the one you love across a crowded room or inches away eye to eye, and only the two of you will be the wiser. Do be careful that you mind where you are walking otherwise your loving looks can lead to laughter as you fall on your face. Carefully, you can caress your darling with your eyes and even the strictest of chaperone's will leave you alone.

Use your words: You can whisper sweet nothings in your lover's ear as an alternative to nibbling it. It may look like you have a secret to keep, but secrets aren't as annoying as loud lips smacking.

Rediscover the art of holding hands: There is far more to holding hands than just palm on palm. Gentle finger caresses and squeezes at just the right time can be so much more intimate than tongue on tonsils could ever be.

Whatever your alternative means of affection, it helps to be considerate of others when all you really want is to be alone with your true love. Spare the feelings of those around you to keep everyone happy.