The New York Times has a nice piece about why people continue to hold hands in public, when so many other romantic gestures have disappeared with the sexual revolution:
To hold someone’s hand is to offer them affection, protection or comfort. It is a way to communicate that you are off the market. Practically speaking, it is an efficient way to squeeze through a crowd without losing your partner. People do it during vigils, marches, weddings and funerals.
Holding hands remains a sign of intimacy between friends and lovers, couples and family, keeping two people together as they navigate the world around them. It as powerful a gesture today as it was two hundred years ago.
Personally, I hope it never goes out of style!
You can read the full New York Times article here.
(8 votes, average: 4.5 out of 5)
Loading ...This entry was posted on Friday, October 6th, 2006 at 2:39 pm and is filed under General, Relationships, Psychology. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
4 Responses to “Couples Holding Hands” (Pingbacks/trackbacks not shown below)
pbr at 9:07 pm on
May 31st, 2007
Gestures of possession meant for the public is considerably different than affection, solace, or comfort, presumptive at best, and dictatorial at worst.
Hand holding depends on the relationship established with the person whose hand is being held and their willingness to accept the intended gesture based upon their understanding of its origin and significance.
I fully agree to the statement that “holding hands in public” is a sign of affection, protection and comfort. I personally feel that way and I like hoding my partners hand in public when strolling along the beach or from one shop to another. BUT my Partner thinks that is being “clingy” and this upsets me a great deal.
Jessica at 12:11 pm on
October 7th, 2008
WHen a couple is holding hands why is the mans hand always on bottom with the wrist facing foward and the woman;s facing back
Al at 4:21 pm on
October 7th, 2008
For Jessica’s question, I think thats only if the man is on your left (when standing behind the couple) and the woman is on your right. If the couple’s positions are reversed so would their hands. In the photo I can’t tell who’s a man and who’s not.
Be a Part of the Conversation! Comment on this Entry Now:
Gestures of possession meant for the public is considerably different than affection, solace, or comfort, presumptive at best, and dictatorial at worst.
Hand holding depends on the relationship established with the person whose hand is being held and their willingness to accept the intended gesture based upon their understanding of its origin and significance.
I fully agree to the statement that “holding hands in public” is a sign of affection, protection and comfort. I personally feel that way and I like hoding my partners hand in public when strolling along the beach or from one shop to another. BUT my Partner thinks that is being “clingy” and this upsets me a great deal.
WHen a couple is holding hands why is the mans hand always on bottom with the wrist facing foward and the woman;s facing back
For Jessica’s question, I think thats only if the man is on your left (when standing behind the couple) and the woman is on your right. If the couple’s positions are reversed so would their hands. In the photo I can’t tell who’s a man and who’s not.
