Publications
Partners
I come from a family that shows affection easily. My mom and dad used to kiss each other on the lips – but chastely – every morning when he left for work and every evening when he returned.
I used to kiss my parents every night before I went to bed and every time they dropped me off and fetched me from school – even during my teenage years.
I find couples holding hands and whispering and giggling like honeymooners extremely adorable, and I always feel privileged when I happen to spot two people exchanging a significant look.
I absolutely love wedding and anniversary speeches where people declare their love for their partners, and I’m always a little disappointed when I don’t see people bursting into tears at airports when reunited with their loved ones.
In short, I really don’t mind public displays of affection.
WHEN IT HAPPENS IN REAL LIFE.
When people do it on social media, I just don’t get it. Surely if you want to tell your significant other how much they mean to you, you tell them?
My Facebook timeline is awash with people seemingly addressing their partners, children, parents, and even friends, declaring love, devotion, gratitude when it’s clear they’re talking to all of us. Why are they doing this?
Is your love not valid if the world doesn’t know about it? Does your commitment to your partner not count if you don’t get likes from your grade two English teacher? Was your anniversary date not a success if you didn’t post pics of the heart-shaped dessert you shared with your honey?
Listen, I’m not a complete grouch – I understand that sometimes you feel the need to shout your commitment from the rooftops, but have you actually ever seen someone do that? Shout their love from the rooftops? Wouldn’t you be a bit surprised if they did? And wouldn’t you think that the person doing it should rather use their breath on telling the object of their affection instead?
I guess it makes sense; if people are going to take pictures of their cappuccinos and share it with the world, then they’re going to share their deepest innermost emotions too.
It just doesn’t sit well with me. It smacks of grandstanding, of self-aggrandisement and of plain old bragging. And I fear that it might turn relationships into things that is all form and no substance, valid and valued only if others approve.
Does it bother any of you? Or did I just get up on the wrong side of bed this morning?
Love and my DYING DEVOTION
Lili
