Public Displays of Affection

Here is a little note about the French and their relatonship habits, which, in short, is that wherever you are, it's always time to stand on a street corner staring lovingly into your partners eyes, and get in the way! I understand that it's perhaps not as intense as some other countries like Spain and Portugal, but it's definitely something I've noticed since being here!

Perhaps I'm just full of English reserve, the lack of queuing here annoys me sometimes too, but that I can deal with. Seeing 15 year olds snogging on the street corner you need to get round is something I'm a little less able to handle! It seems that here, it is acceptable to just proclaim your love for someone by not leaving them alone. In England we're more of the 'get a room' view, but apparently here it's more 'go out into the middle of the street and show everyone how much we love each other'!

Now, I don't want to sound bitter and twisted because I am single and out here, as believe me, I'm really not, it is, however, something that has struck me. I remember being on the metro in rush hour during the first few weeks of being here, and a couple who had clearly just come from school went about 5 stops, and from the moment they got on until the moment the girl had to, sadly, leave, their lips were locked together. The rest of the carriage was pretty much silent, and all anyone could hear was this teenage couple making out. The strangest thing about this whole situation, was that all the other French people on the metro were not even phased by it. It was normal. There were none of the looks you'd get in England between other passengers which make a 'tut' without having to say it! I felt mean for wanting them to leave each other alone and talk about common interests instead!

I'm not sure how the national mentalities of France and England have come about that this kind of thing is acceptable in one country, and slightly grotesque in another. Yes, I've vaguely got used to it, but each time I see another couple sharing an intimate moment (the other day in front of a leopard cage at a zoo, with families milling around) there is still something in my head that says, 'get a room'. I'm sure it's not just me, I have spoken to others about how forward people are here, but it's still something I find very uncomfortable, even though the French really dont care! Crazy Frenchies!

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