couples walking through shops holding hands

[DosDuchas]

Has anyone ever BARGED through the barrier they create and shouted STOP HOLDING HANDS FGS YOU ANNOYING PEOPLE?
( or perhaps something snappier?)

marks and spencer today - it was like british bloody bulldog, especially when the man LEADS the woman through the shops, swerving past racks of clothes, creating a four foot wide barrier

Holding another persons hand, or linking arms is one of life's simple pleasures. People do it because it feels nice to them. I do it with my parents, children, dp etc..

If I felt like giving my dp a hug or a kiss and we were out in public (but not in the way) I'd do it, just the same as I would at home. Not because I'm showing off or have something to prove but because I honestly couldn't care less what strangers in the street think of me. It wouldn't even occur to me to think if there were people there or not.

The people who have this idea that people are doing it as a 'public show' for you to see need to really get over themselves and realise its not all about you. Chances are the couple haven't noticed you and don't give a shit whether you exist or not.

Its fine if you don't like it, tastes are different, but how fucking intolerant do you have to be to get wound up by other people doing something harmless that makes them happy?

It's only an offence in crowded places where handholding is an impediment to others using the same space. Single file in crowded places is polite.

Hold hands, don't hold hands, each to her own.

Fucking hell, some people are so bitter they have to say that if you hold hands you are doing it for show, or you are a dependant person who can't cross the road on your own?

I hope I never become that bitter that I look at married couples who look happy or are holding hands and have to make assumptions that they do it for show to make myself feel better.

I like to hold dh's hand. He still makes my heart flip and gives me butterflies after 10 years. I am also pretty independent and can cross a road by myself. We are happy and like to touch and after 10 years and lots of children and shit thrown at us that can only be a good thing.

I don't make assumptions about those who aren't hand holders, so don't make assumptions about those who are, it just makes you sound a bit sad really. For us holding hands feel nice, although I can't do it for long as I get hot.

We always hold hands and have also recently had a baby. DH has mastered pushing pram and holding my hands... We would make you quite angry I feel.

You would if I had to walk in the road as your pavement block came towards me, 5.

There's a lot of miserable people in this thread.

My wife and I even hold hands on the bus.

I couldn't care less if people want to hold hands as long as they don't impede other people's progress. Each to their own.

I think snogging and slurping in public is gross though. I once had to tap the shoulder of a couple at the theatre who kept getting in my eye line and ruining my view by virtually having it away in the seats directly in front of me. Ffs if you want to have sex do it somewhere else.

I agree with U2. I have never understood people's objections. Even if couples are kissing I like to see it and it shows they are happy together. Have never had problems getting by on pavements. I tend to walk twice as fast as everyone shop as little as possible and often walk almost in the road as I go so far. it's not hard to avoid people.

We often walk all 4 of us holding hands! Dh and I holding hands, with small child either side.

I don't think either children now at 5 and 4 years have ever really walked around without holding one of our hands unless in a park. We always hold their hands on the street and in shops

We also all go food and clothe shopping together. It's nice, otherwise we would always be split into one staying at home with kids. They are children not a subspecies, they can easily come food and clothes shopping, to cafes, everywhere with us. I think it's good they learn some things aren't always super fun, and that food doesn't magically appear in kitchen. They can give there opinions on what food they would like to eat also, and can introduce the concept of prices and budgeting

Art, that's quite anti social to be honest.

We used to get told off about it at school - the rather old fashioned headmistress used to point out it was rude to take up the entire pavement and I do agree with her.

Five - it's more anti social for us walking with dh holding old child's hand and me holding other child's hand walking around without being able to talk to dh surely. I don't think we are being anti social to others tbh.
When kids were small we particularly always put them both in a sling each rather than huge double pram so we weren't in the way.
I don't think we have ever made people walk in road.

Surely four people holding hands must take up the width of the pavement? It sounds pretty anti social to me too.

And you can still talk to your husband without holding his hand and causing a barrier for others.

How lovely it is we live in a society where people can hold hands in public.

Dh and I hold hands. He is 79 and I am 71. We have been married for 27 years but it is my third and his second. Does that make our love less valid?
We brought 5 teens to adulthood, we share 9 dgc and are so proud of the amazing people the dc have become. We will hold hands till one of us dies. If we are in your way we will move.
We dont link arms and dance from side to side of the pavement, we dont fall over drunk in gutters or puke in the street. We wont mock or jeer, nick your phone or ask you for a sub.
We will hold hands. Sorry.

Art, if there are four of you in a row then unless the pavements are exceptionally wide then you are taking up the pavement.

I'm sure it's not the intention but it is pretty rude, as people either have to step around you, or to walk at the pace of a young child.

One of you with one child and one with the other would be the slightly more considerate option, I feel. We used to get detention if we were spied walking around the town in packs!

Five - what about when we are out alone with children? We have to walk 3 a breast as we wouldn't want kids walking alone or across roads without holding hands as too young imo. We live in central London so they would easily get lost or trampled in the crowds in many areas. So it's always adult in middle with small child either side.

I think it's a sad world were people would rather a 4 year old gets run over or wander off in crowds as holding hands might be anti social, not necessary or 'in the way'

I agree fiveacres A couple holding hands isn't likely to cause inconvenience to others. Four people will undoubtedly cause others to slow down behind them or have to walk round them.

No, I haven't because, despite being the proud owner of a resting bitch face, I'm actually not that fucking curmudgeonly.

Obviously on your own with them you have to keep them safe.
There's no need whatsoever to inconvenience others like this when you're both with them.

For goodness sakes Art - 'a sad world where people would rather a four year old got run over' - is that what I said? Is it?

Four people, two of them adults, have a polite and considerate solution which doesn't involve children getting run over.

Do you think other people should have to walk in the road because you have to talk to your husband?

Add message | Report | Message poster ilovesooty Sun 07-Jun-15 13:15:58
Surely four people holding hands must take up the width of the pavement? It sounds pretty anti social to me too.
Add message | Report | Message poster ilovesooty Sun 07-Jun-15 13:16:59
And you can still talk to your husband without holding his hand and causing a barrier for others.

I live in the middle of nowhere, we don't even have pavements. Most of the time we are roaming around in hills or though woodland. If a person, car or tree gets in the way we let go. I can talk to my husband without holding his hand, in fact we have just had a talk and we managed not to touch each other once, however if I can touch him I will.

We have six children and a stepson, usually we are accompanied by at least two dogs. We are total and utter selfish pavement hogging bastards.

If there isn't a pavement, I am a bit lost as to how you can hog it, Philoslothy

My normal tactic with hand holdy pavement hoggers is to stop on the inside of the pavement, and stare at them.
If the pavement is wide enough for only two people, as quite a few are in my area, then I'm buggered if I'm stepping into traffic because you can't be parted for two seconds, or even work out how to do single file hand holdy walking.
I can look pretty immovable when I need to. The crucial bit is to stop on the inside of the pavement, not the road side, because then you can't be barged into the road.