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

[BeaQuiet]

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.

They’re holding hands, it’s not like she’s giving him a handjob.

Even if she was, I doubt Biden would have noticed. He wouldn't even notice if he was on the receiving end of one himself.

It might just be he loves her and wants to hold her hand. She is probably there because she has supported him on his journey and now she gets to enjoy any benefits. Gets to meet those other wives who have risen with their husbands. She will be staying in the same hotel and I'll presume the flight is free so no costs involved.

😂

Man holds wife's hand shocker

@BeaQuiet MNHQ have very kindly let me know why my post was deleted.

I was taking issue with this post:

every photo they are kissing or holding hands, I find it icky tbh.
he holds her hand like he is helping a child. Not that he has much credibility but it damages it further

... from @ApplesOrangesBananas

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

I may have gone a bit too far in the rest of my post ...

What Pedallieur? They'll be in the same hotel? Together? It's too much to bear.

@BIWI 😄

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.

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

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 ...

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

How very ageist

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?

We're now in our 60s and I'll still link arms with him (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 )

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

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.

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

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

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

Exactly what "work" is Starmer doing as he walks down steps? 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.

Don't mind if I do 🍻

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.

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

Fab @ApplesOrangesBananas!

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.

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.