Now don't get me wrong, after a few G and T's, I too may have partaken in ridiculous antics in the back of a pub once upon a time, but on a plane, in the middle of the day?! Outrageous!
We're seeing it more and more post-lockdown. Think Kourtney Kardashian and Travis Scott making out in front of their kids on Keeping up with the Kardashians, Machine Gun Kelly and Megan Fox pashing on the red carpet, and if you've stumbled upon Megan Thee Stallion's latest Instagram post, you will see her butt in her boyfriend's face while he's attempting to play Mario Kart.
Now don't get me wrong, if my butt looked like hers, I would probably get it on the gram as well … but the old prude in me still goes 'eww, you use that thing to go to the toot! Not as a dinner plate'.
I'm not a heartless, non-affectionate person. I just prefer to keep the touchy-feely stuff to the bedroom. Or very briefly in public. For example, a few weeks ago I was on a road trip with a fella who makes my heart go va va voom, and we stopped at the service station to get snacks. He walked past me in the lolly aisle and gave my butt a light smack. No one was around to feel awkies, but it certainly perked me right up. THAT'S how you do Power PDA.
I always question those who have to prove their overly-affectionate selves in public. Yes, the pessimist in me ponders why they are trying too hard.
Take for example Meghan and Harry. We watch her cling to him in public as if she will lose him if they don't hold hands. Then take a good look at William and Kate. They stand tall, strong and independent – yet united. For me, that's a sign of a sturdy marriage. Two people who can stand upright by themselves but throw each other an adoring side-glance when needed. No Power-PDA needed to prove their union.
Is this touchy-feely-ness a sign of insecurity? Perhaps. Lust? Maybe. Ickyness to those around them? Definitely.
Unlike our former teenage selves who were horny and given small opportunities (mostly in cinemas or at the school gates) to ravage each other, we are now grown-ups who have our own homes, and bedrooms with locks to enjoy those tender moments. And let's be honest, when you're in the early stages of romance, is there anything better than being cute and polite at the hotel reception desk, before racing up the lift to your room to get naked? Nope.
However, according to Bumble's latest statistics, more than 68 per cent of their users say they're more open to public displays of affection post-pandemic. And yes, I get it, habitually when we're told we can't do something, we just want to do it more. So it makes sense that all my fellow singletons came out of lockdown like hormonal teenagers, but can we draw a line at seeing each other's tongues touching in the cinema line?
I'm calling it, Power PDA is a dating fad and I will happily wish it a fond farewell.
