Love is in the air at the Wilkinson Student Center, Harold B. Lee Library and various other buildings catering to the masses of BYU students. For some, the hand-holding, lip-locking couples are a reminder of how precious love can be, while for others, it’s an annoyance that needs to be addressed.
BYU students observe the public display of affection, commonly referred to as “PDA” on campus.
Leah Blight, a sophomore from Berryville, Va., majoring in public health, said the line should be drawn at kissing. Blight finds the act of holding hands sincere, but once the kissing starts, she feels uncomfortable.
“It’s like they think it goes unnoticed,” she said.
Blight said she finds herself annoyed with couples who sit by her in the library.
“They are all lovey, and all you want to do is leave,” she said.
Adam Denison, a freshman from Visalia, Calif., said his experience with PDA at BYU has not been bothersome. Denison, who is majoring in chemistry, has not encountered any awkward situations with couples. He said he appreciates how he can attend a university where PDA is not an issue. In comparison, his high school was a PDA nightmare.
“Back at high school, you would turn a corner and everyone would be making out,” Denison said.
Abbie Harlow, a freshman from Alameda, Calif., majoring in English, does not mind the PDA situation at BYU either. Her high school experience was similar to Denison’s, making BYU a breath of fresh air. Harlow recommends that people be aware of their surroundings when kissing their significant other.
“Some people are not aware of the setting they are in and how they can make people uncomfortable,” Harlow said.
Dalin Gunnell, a junior from Caldwell, Idaho, has changed his attitude about PDA since being married.
“I am fine with people kissing before going different ways,” he said.
Gunnell said he believes if a kiss extends longer than 20 seconds, the PDA has gone too far.
“Before I got married, I never kissed in public,” he said. “Now, I will kiss in public and I don’t care. I don’t think the same as I used to.”
