Are we wrong, or is it just people's mindset?

[Anjali]

My boyfriend and I were in our coaching uniform on the train. He's really clingy-always holding my shoulders and leaning down to talk. We were standing close, he just put his finger on my lip and I playfully licked it. Suddenly a woman stood up, started shouting at us, told us to get off the train and called us names. We were already at our station, so we got off; I walked away while he stayed back, said a few words and left. He says we did nothing wrong, but I'm not sure. He promised he won't do that again if I say no, and I told him no. I feel humiliated now. How should I deal with this? Are we wrong?

[Akshara]

You licked his finger in public?

[Vasant]

People seem fine with looking away when men pee in public, or when couples fight, or when men expose themselves. But as soon as there's any PDA, they draw the line. Insane. So glad I moved abroad.

[Shruti]

You didn't do anything wrong; it just shows how backward and repressive the society can be. By societal standards, it was considered PDA. If you don't care about the backlash, you can keep doing what you like. If you want to avoid trouble, keep any physical contact private.

[Simran]

In India you can pee in public, but you can't show love.

[Kiran]

They've never known what love and affection feel like. Don't worry, you did nothing wrong! There's not much you can do about it though...

[Lavanya]

No one would bat an eye at men peeing in public or at someone being harassed, but PDA triggers them more than their loveless lives ever will. WOW! You also hear women passing remarks about love marriages while they worship husbands who verbally or even physically abuse them. Licking a finger isn't a huge deal, especially in a society where people get beaten up in public. It's not that sexual, so it shouldn't be such a big issue.

[Vandana]

Unfortunately we live in a country where PDA is seen as indecent, even though we have the world's largest population. You can't really change it. Put it behind you, focus on your own happiness. They'll always find something to complain about when young people are comfortable with themselves.

[Rajat]

That's really unhygienic, especially on a train. I doubt he used hand sanitizer before putting his finger on your lip. And yes, it's India, people can get offended by that. Shouting, screaming and causing a scene is dramatic, but not unexpected.

[Akhil]

If Indians got triggered by the right things, we wouldn't be a third‑world country right now. Peeing in public is OK. Harassing your wife in public is OK. Abusing your wife in public is OK. Even a mother‑in‑law abusing her daughter‑in‑law in public is OK. R***ing someone in broad daylight is OK. Crashing a car into someone and fleeing is OK. Showing off dowry publicly is OK. But god forbid you and your boyfriend are seen in a healthy relationship-UNACCEPTABLE.

[James]

I think those people are just jealous because they don't have that in their lives, and their life sucks, so they vent their frustration.