New Lows for PDA

I have never been a fan of public displays of affection, or PDA; sickeningly in love couples, or just drunk and horny singletons in clubs getting too cosy in dark corners. Partly perhaps because it makes me feel uncomfortable, but also because I just think it is inpolite. Nobody wants to see a gruff balding man grab his wife's bum in public, or a 14 year old couple making out at the bus stop. I guess I have, in the past, been guilty of some excessive PDA, but I don't think it really counts in a dark club - surely the most acceptable place to engage in such an activity, as that is the main reason why people go to these sleazy clubs?

However, on a recent trip to House, a posh cocktail bar in Oxford, with my boyfriend I experienced the worst case of PDA I have ever encountered. We purchased our cocktails downstairs and made our way to the upstairs seating area. Upon entering, I saw a couple making out, up against the wall, who quickly flung apart from each other when we entered. Although mildly disgusted (it was only 8pm after all), I was relived that they at least appeared embarrassed to have been caught, and returned to their seats. However, I must have given their 'decency' too much credit as within ten minutes I heard the woman moaning - unfortunately not in pain. These sexual moaning noises continued and were easily audible above the music. Being the only other couple in the room, we became increasingly uncomfortable so retreated to the downstairs bar area to find the bar men watching the CCTV awkwardly. They were obviously aware of the situation, but seemed to embarrassed to do anything about it, so left the couple to, err, whatever it was they were doing up there. Half an hour later, I saw the couple stumble down the stairs, the woman being very obviously trashed. This was not quite the experience I was expecting in a quiet cocktail bar on a Monday evening.

I am not alone in my hatred for PDA as there is one railway station that have actually banned kissing within the station building, and have made allocated kissing areas in the car park. Even I think this is too far, people should be allowed to kiss a loved one goodbye before they travel off somewhere! However, the pure fact that rules have had to been enforced to curb excessive PDA just shows that people are very unaware of what is classed as socially acceptable and what is not.