Courting Behavior Around the World
We enjoyed watching young lovers, and not so young lovers, around the world and were struck by the differences that we saw regarding what was appropriate behavior from one place to another.
In Rome many of the displays of public affection would be "R rated" in other places. After seeing more than a few young people "coupling" in parks and around town, we decided to try to get a picture or two. Of course we wanted to do this without being too obvious or too intrusive. When they saw us they usually broke apart. This is the best we could do without making it a primary project.
Here is a picture of our favorite couple in Rome -- our hostess, Fabiana and her partner, Francesco.
When we went to Spain we noticed a very nice, very sweet affection between people. It seemed to be very comfortable, not showy, and just nice. There was touching among adults, children and people of all ages and sexes. We especially enjoyed watching people strolling arm in arm after dark, just out for an evening walk. (Sorry no pictures here.)
Japan is a different story. Around the world it is generally known that the Japanese are not allowed to freely show affection in a physical way, unless it is between adults and their very small children, mothers and daughters or young couples traveling away from home. Even so, there is a more restrained affection shown. Here is a picture of a young couple having lunch together in a public area in Japan. It may look as if they are touching but there is no physical contact whatsoever.
As we wrote earlier, people in Korea are very affectionate in public. They openly hug, touch and are outward in showing various emotions. However, we saw no public displays of romantic affection and when we were around young couples we knew, they were not openly demonstrative.
Australia is a place where we immediately felt at home. It is casual, friendly, and open. Almost anything goes. However, the affection between couples that we saw was most similar to what you would see in the USA. Here is a picture of one of our favorite couples in the whole world, Emma and Ross, just being who they are, wherever they are.
When we arrived in Hawaii we were taken with the enjoyment we saw. Couples seemed to really like each other. Families seemed to like one another's company. Either this is the place to go if you already know how to enjoy each other, or the place brings out that element in the relationships. Whichever it is it was striking to us.
Overall, people in Turkey were demonstrative and affectionate. Men often walked linked arm-in-arm with other men. Mothers and children of all ages, including grown daughters often held hands. People of all ages and both sexes touched each other often. It felt very friendly.
It was not unusual to see women in chador (the full-body cloak, sometimes covering the face),or other conservative dress walking down the street holding hands with men in western wear. It is no wonder then that couples in love could be openly demonstrative. These two pictures were taken in Istanbul in the area of the Hippodrome, which is surrounded by a public park.
These young people gave us permission to take their picture after we observed the four men hitting on this cute young woman.
In Russia we found young lovers to be very expressive and affectionate in public.
We wondered what the older people sitting on the bench in
St. Petersburg thought of this young woman's very short shorts.
In Moscow we wanted to take a picture of this sweet scene in a
park without being too intrusive.
Whereas at a McDonalds in Moscow this couple didn't care who was around. They didn't break their clinch even for friends who came up to them and tapped them on the shoulder to get their attention and visit with them. They remained entwined for more than a half hour that we remained in the area.
France, and especially Paris, more than lived up to its reputation as a country for lovers. We weren't able to get pictures of the more flagrant demonstrations of affection so this picture will have to do...
We celebrate love all over the world no matter what the ages of the lovers.
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