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AIBU?

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Original poster

To wish Sir Keir and his wife would not hold hands when working

758 replies

BeaQuiet · 10/07/2024 10:23

They've arrived in Washington DC on official business clutching hands like the Macrons, the Obamas and the Sussexes.

AiBU to find it a bit cringey?

And before anyone asks, yes I do have bigger things to worry about but I fancy a chat.

OP posts:
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Janiie · 10/07/2024 19:56

BIossomtoes · 10/07/2024 19:39

It’s not even logical. Unless you think being at work starts before you arrive at your workplace.

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If you're been filmed and featured on the news then yes.

decionsdecisions62 · 10/07/2024 19:50

It beats Rishi striding in front with his wife shuffling behind with her shepherds crook.

Screamingabdabz · 10/07/2024 19:44

I’m with you op. So unnecessary and baffling. Walk independently ffs.

YANBU

prettybird · 10/07/2024 19:44

Checking out about partners attending NATO meetings, I did come across the delicious piece of information that the (male) Luxembourg's PM's husband was seated beside Victor Orban at the NATO state dinner in Spain Grin

Someone was definitely trolling there Wink

https://amp.theguardian.com/world/2022/jun/30/luxembourg-same-sex-husband-seated-viktor-orban-nato-summit

BIossomtoes · 10/07/2024 19:39

Janiie · 10/07/2024 19:31

'The disagreement is whether arriving in a plane and descending the steps counts as work'

Hmm. On a private holiday no that isn't work, so clasping hands getting off a plane fine though I've always managed without a handhold tbh. On an official visit that is work. It isn't rocket science .

It’s not even logical. Unless you think being at work starts before you arrive at your workplace.

prettybird · 10/07/2024 19:38

Absolutely shocking. Should never happen Hmm

To wish Sir Keir and his wife would not hold hands when working
BustingBaoBun · 10/07/2024 19:33

Why would walking down plane steps with your wife be classed as work? That's a bit strange. Surely it is taking air travel to arrive somewhere ready for work.

Janiie · 10/07/2024 19:31

'The disagreement is whether arriving in a plane and descending the steps counts as work'

Hmm. On a private holiday no that isn't work, so clasping hands getting off a plane fine though I've always managed without a handhold tbh. On an official visit that is work. It isn't rocket science .

Longma · 10/07/2024 19:31

cherish123 · 10/07/2024 18:54

It's unnatural in anyone over 20. It's cringy. I suspect they are told to do it.

Ha ha! I think the vast majority of the population across the world disagrees with you on this.
It is far more normal for long term partners to hold hands occasionally than to never do so. It's a very natural and normal gesture.

BIWI · 10/07/2024 19:31

Rambling on = involved in a discussion. I'm sorry if you don't appreciate my replies.

And not trolling, even if you don't like my replies @ApplesOrangesBananas . Think you need to look up the definition of trolling.

BIWI · 10/07/2024 19:30

Fab @ApplesOrangesBananas!

BIWI · 10/07/2024 19:29

Janiie · 10/07/2024 19:18

Yes yes we all hold hands. The holding hands isn't the issue its doing it while at work on official business that is the issue.

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Actually, not really true. The OP talked about the whole thing being 'cringey'

Confundo · 10/07/2024 19:28

Doteycat · 10/07/2024 11:27

Ireland had a gay Taoiseach, but his partner stayed in the background if i recall, i dont think we saw him much.

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Nah, Leo brought his partner to events. Most notably he brought him along any time he had to visit Mike Pence, which I always found delightful 😁

https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/mike-pence-irish-pm-leo-varadkar-partner_n_5c8b0b8ee4b0d7f6b0f17630

Back to the topic though, I think it’s just the done thing if you’re in that sort of role. Just as much as I couldn’t imagine having to put a suit on every day to go to work, different work environments have different expectations. As a politician spouse if you’re not holding hands then you’re aware that it’s just going to become a tabloid story about trouble in the marriage.

Ireland's Leader Shows Up With His Boyfriend At Mike Pence's House

The vice president of the United States invited Irish Taoiseach Leo Varadkar to bring his partner, Dr. Matt Barrett.

https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/mike-pence-irish-pm-leo-varadkar-partner_n_5c8b0b8ee4b0d7f6b0f17630

ApplesOrangesBananas · 10/07/2024 19:28

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OverheardInLidl · 10/07/2024 19:27

BeaQuiet · 10/07/2024 17:30

OP says she is a labour supporter from way back. Ok—what strange pathology and anxiety causes you to vote for a party, support its presumed goals, and then start a thread that deliberately holds the new representative of the party up for a wide range if contempt for a public act of such tiny significance? Even if you don’t like it what impels you to elevate a personal preference to a public beating? To me its like complaining that the Prime minister likes chocolate cake. So fucking what?

Oh dear god ... it's Wednesday but I think I'll have a G&T. Anyone care to join me? Drink of your choice and I won't compel anyone to drink alcohol ..

Don't mind if I do 🍻

prettybird · 10/07/2024 19:26

The disagreement is whether arriving in a plane and descending the steps counts as work. Confused

Especially in front of press photographers who expect said couple to hold hands Confused

Exactly what "work" is Starmer doing as he walks down steps? Confused State secrets in his ear piece? Reading strategy documents on a teleprompter? Secret messages in his hand movements?

No-one, but no-one, has said that they would expect see them holding hands in an office or business setting. Confused

BIossomtoes · 10/07/2024 19:19

Janiie · 10/07/2024 19:18

Yes yes we all hold hands. The holding hands isn't the issue its doing it while at work on official business that is the issue.

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In which case every world leader is guilty of it. Scandalous.

Janiie · 10/07/2024 19:18

BIossomtoes · 10/07/2024 19:05

My dad never got the memo. He was still holding my mum’s hand when he was 99.

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Yes yes we all hold hands. The holding hands isn't the issue its doing it while at work on official business that is the issue.

BIossomtoes · 10/07/2024 19:05

BIWI · 10/07/2024 18:57

Oh dear. At 64 I never got that memo. Have I just morphed into 'old dear' to be allowed to do that?

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My dad never got the memo. He was still holding my mum’s hand when he was 99.

prettybird · 10/07/2024 19:03

I only met now dh when I was 31 and we got married when I was 36.

Does that mean I was too old ever to have held hands with him? WinkConfused

We're now in our 60s and I'll still link arms with him Smile (see my earlier post explaining why his gorilla arms make it uncomfortable to actually hold hands for any length of time especially if I'm wearing heels Wink)

Salemforcuddles · 10/07/2024 19:00

cherish123 · 10/07/2024 18:54

It's unnatural in anyone over 20. It's cringy. I suspect they are told to do it.

How very ageist

BIWI · 10/07/2024 18:57

cherish123 · 10/07/2024 18:54

It's unnatural in anyone over 20. It's cringy. I suspect they are told to do it.

Oh dear. At 64 I never got that memo. Have I just morphed into 'old dear' to be allowed to do that?

Original poster
BeaQuiet · 10/07/2024 18:54

Pointing out just how much credibility Sir Keir Starmer does actually have, having just won a landslide victory.

Yep. I'm quietly optimistic about him as PM in many respects - hence I voted Labour. Worried about women's rights being eroded and men being allowed into our spaces but will fight him every inch of the way on that one.

Still don't like the hand holding ...

OP posts:
cherish123 · 10/07/2024 18:54

It's unnatural in anyone over 20. It's cringy. I suspect they are told to do it.

Bathbombin · 10/07/2024 18:51

I like the fact that they’re holding hands - they’re not “at work” they’re travelling to work; it’s totally normal for a happily married couple to do this.