Photo Courtesy / Jessica Lee

You’ve seen them; we all have. You’d think they’d be the nooks and crannies, hidden away. But instead they can be found in the back of a classroom, next to you on a bus or train, or even in the couches right in front of the UG office. Couples, lovers, twosomes (threesomes?) publicly loving up, making out or fondling each other, without a care in the world that there’s a city or a university campus going on around them.

There isn’t very much that’s taboo these days in an increasingly open-minded city like the T Dot, but one thing that still seems to set tongues a-waggin’ (seriously, no pun intended) is the appropriateness of public displays of affection (PDA).

For those who don’t get what I’m saying, I’m referring to the face-suckers and body-gropers who do their deeds in full view of the general public. Not just on campus, on the TTC, in restaurants, on the streets, pretty much anywhere outside of their homes.

Somewhat on the fence regarding the issue, I decided to see what UTSC has to see about PDA.

Jessica Orellana, a second-year management student, thinks that open affection should be measured, and preferably done with not too many people around.

“When you take it too far, it looks bad, and makes people think you have no self respect,” she said.

Most people thought that PDA is fine, as long as it is within reason.

Evan Wiseman, fourth-year year political science, doesn’t mind PDA long as it’s “within reason.”

“I’m not a big fan of grinding and heavy making out in public, because it makes things awkward for people nearby,” Wiseman said.

Tracy Torres, a recent graduate, concurs that it’s good in moderation, as long as she doesn’t see any “hands going down into clothes” and the likes.

Diana Watson, another recent graduate, thinks that there’s a thin line between the appropriate and the inappropriate.

“A peck on the cheek or holding hands is nice; it’s actually kind of cute to know that people aren’t afraid to show their love. But anything more than that is kind of gross, and doesn’t need to be displayed,” she said.

Tina Mai, a recent management graduate, is definitely not a fan of PDA. She thinks it’s unnecessary.

“I think these people are not aware of the comfort zones of the people around them, and should be more considerate of that,” she remarked.

There were, however, a few pro-PDA peeps amongst the fence-sitters. Prithvi Rai, fifth-year bio student, said that PDA should depend on the people involved; if they are comfortable enough to get it on in public, then it shouldn’t be anybody else’s business.

“You have to remember too that many of these lovers may not have the time to see each other on a regular basis; so they make the most of whatever time they have, wherever they are,”’ he pointed out.

Rajiv Gopie, fourth-year international studies student, is totally or PDA.

“I think it’s totally appropriate; there is not basis in condemning people whole express love in public,” he lamented.

Gopie also said that he certainly has no problem engaging in PDA when the need or the opportunity arises.

One thing’s for darned sure, it doesn’t matter what you think about it, PDA is something we all should get used to because it’s becoming increasingly common. And PDA-ers beware, when you least expect it, there may be an Underground ninja-cameraman lurking in somewhere nearby, waiting to snap a candid shot of your lip-locking for stories such as this one.