"Just Friends"

Public Display of Affection (Or PDA as it is commonly known) is, well, as is self evident - a public display of affection.

There was a time when this phrase was more commonly used for lovers! (And not for the "Just Friends" category of people). However, with time, even its connotations have greatly changed, keeping into account the changing trends!

A publicly given hug or public holding of hands or publicly keeping one's hand on the other's shoulder etc were forms of PDA.

In cases of "Just Friends", there was no PDA. No holding hands, no hugs, no resting heads on shoulders etc etc. There was always a distance (both physical and emotional!).

But today's friendships are very Close. Everyone seems to be claiming - "Ooooh, she/he is a very close friend of mine!" (These "Close Friends" are generally, almost always, of the opposite sex and NO they are not the Bf/Gf of the person so claiming, Mind it!)

The number of close friends has increased. The closeness among the close friends has increased.

Earlier if a Bf hugged his Gf in public, he was considered quite daring/smitten blah blah. But now, let alone people in relationships, these close friends always greet each other with a BIG BEAR HUG! They pull cheeks, cling, etc etc.

What I don't understand is, that if all this PDA has now been reserved for "Close Friends", then what sort of PDA is meant for the Bf/Gf??

There are so many "Close Friends" fulfilling almost all needs of a person, then why o why, would you want to have a Bf/Gf, who is so much more difficult to maintain than a "Close Friend" (She/He is very understanding too Hah!).

It is a better bargain to have many "Close Friends" who might not even be as possessive but definitely as/more indulging!

Some food for thought this is for me, I must say!