Public Display of Affection

In America, affection between couples is normal and expected. You see couples everywhere holding hands, or putting their arms around each other, or even kissing (although hopefully not with TOO much enthusiasm!!). I never really gave this much thought, because it is so normal. In fact, I have known couples that can't agree on how much PDA is acceptable, based on personal preference of course. But, all-in-all people like it, and it is a way of showing that your are happy, in-love, or maybe...just in-lust! :)
Anyway, one of the first things I noticed about China was how affectionate the people of the same sex are with each other. Guys walk down the street with their arms slung around their guy friends, and girls walk down the street holding hands with their girl friends. This caught me a little off guard, because in America people would do a double take at this. Guys in America, especially, are so worried about doing ANYTHING that would downgrade their masculinity. In fact, isn't there a special "back pat" you guys do when you hug...to let other guys know that you don't swing that way? So, even though there is this same-sex affection here in China, you don't see much between couples.
Our friend, Bella, recently had her parents, from a province up North, here to visit for about a month and a half. Andre and I grew very fond of them, and would often have dinner with them (her parents make the most delicious dumplings, meat pies, and Chinese tacos by the way!!). On their last night in town, Bella told me, "My parents think you and Andre are SO CUTE!!" As we discussed this more she began to tell me that her parents think we are SO in love because Andre and I display so much affection. She says that we always touch, hug, kiss, or look at each other in "that loving way." Then she went on to say that she didn't think her parents had EVER kissed in public. Wow!! To me, that is so crazy. And so different from America.