Vanessa+L's+Op-Ed+Article

Hugging no humping

media type="file" key="vanessal-muckrakers-2012.mp3"

Just in case some people didn’t get my point the first time with my declaration of independence I will say it again because clearly just one time is not enough. Public displays of affection ARE NOT CUTE. Now, let me explain myself. A little peck here and there, holding hands, hugging, playing little footsie games are all totally acceptable but honestly I do not need to see you two basically straddling each other outside of my class. Not only does it make me feel extremely awkward as I have to try and kindly say “Excuse me.” To go inside my classroom but it makes me feel kind of angry, is it really necessary to shove your tongues down each others throats at a spot where students like myself need to pass? I didn’t think so. AT LEAST have some respect and do it behind a tree, under a car, behind a classroom, in the boys bathroom, quite honestly I don’t mind where just please do it where my innocent eyes won’t see. Or perhaps an even better idea, do it off campus! In the beginning of the year, I thought us high and mighty juniors were over the whole “let’s show how in love we are” phase. I was clearly mistaken. It was a beautiful day, the birds were chirping, the sun shining radiant rays on my body, the grass green enough to be worthy for a picture for a postcard, and I was bubbly walking my way down the center of the school to my group of oh so cheerful friends. I enthusiastically said hi to people along the way and as I flipped my hair to one side and from the corner of my eye what do I see? A boy and a a girl. No big deal right? WRONG. This girl was sitting on her lovers lap and he was putting his fingers in her mouth and she was looking into his eyes sucking on them! Now let’s just take a moment and think about that…. Not a pretty thought right? Instances like this should be stopped! I was mortified! Making out in public is one thing, I could go on and on about that but really? If I want to see something like that I’m sure there are plenty of websites online to satisfy. Perhaps what makes the hair on the back of my neck stick the most is the fact that a majority of these couples have been dating for quite some time. Let me explain. According to Seventeen magazine, the first three months of a relationship( high school relationship) is the time in which the couple is in the “lovey dovey” phase. The time in which the most affection (in public) is shared. So then why do couples that have been dating for years feel the need to publicly do stuff that should be done in bedrooms? I’m sure that if you have been dating the same person since freshman or sophomore year, parents on both sides know, so then why not hang out with your partner outside of school? And while that’s happening why not do your things in privacy? Another thing that gets me are couples in the same class. For the most part my fellow AMEX colleagues are tame when it comes to this but in one of my other classes, I literally sit between this couple that constantly feel the need to blow kisses to one another, whisper “I love you” every 5 seconds, hold hands behind my chair and seductively rub each others legs while I’m trying listen to a lesson. If you want me to switch seats I’d be MORE than glad too. Honestly what is the point? We all know you are clearly a happy couple. Now, ladies and gentlemen just because you don’t make out with your boyfriend/girlfriend in the middle of the hallway does not mean they will break up with you. In fact my closest friends are a couple and I’ve seen them kiss once in their two year relationship! “Oh, but Vanessa you don’t know what it’s like! I can’t resist.” Well my friend, I am in a relationship now and sure we have only been dating about a third of a year but we don’t make out in public now and I refuse to EVER let it happen in the future. So, the next time you and your boyfriend/ girlfriend has their arms around you in the hallway and they open their mouth oh so attractively and are about to commence playing tonsil hockey, think of this piece and remember hugging no humping!