Holding Hands

It is very common in western society to see men and women holding hands, having a hug, even a kiss or two.  In some cases, I have even been known to say 'get a room' if the frisky young kids are being a little over zealous at the bus top.  However, here in India you will very rarely see any public displays of affection. - commonly called PDA's.  In fact, if you see a couple showing any affection it is very unusual and is often frowned upon.

In complete contrast to this - male friends hold hands with each other in public all the time. They are very 'hands on' with each other, most of the time.  It is most males but predominantly the young men in their twenties.  They are all types of men -  construction workers, gardeners, office workers, students  - seen holding hands walking too from work or school.  It has taken a while to get used to seeing this every day, even when seeing gay men are common in Oz.  It is the contrast that creates the shock.  That is the ONLY affection you see here.  And they are NOT gay.

I am more used to seeing women holding hands - in particular young Chinese or Japanese girls shopping for expensively hideous designer goods. So why is it so different with it being young men?

Mothers do not even kiss their kids or hug their children when they come home from school.  When meeting friends and family it is a handshake not even a kiss on the cheek.  If couples hug or kiss in public it is often followed by passers-by smirking or frowning and showing unhappiness. 

It is these contrasts and differences that make living here such a fun and unusual experience.  We are respectful of these differences - so not much snogging in public lately !