Please keep acts of love out of the halls for everyone’s sake

By Krista Benson

Soft music swells, the lights slowly dim. Faces move gradually toward each other, and the two lovers pas-sionately embrace in the most romantic of all possible settings … the hallway?

Some confused students at FHS apparently see the halls as being the most romantic place on earth, as the clogged halls have become even more clogged with many such passionate exchanges in the middle of the school. The ability to walk down a hall at Flathead and not be assaulted by the mating rituals of other students has been taken away.

Affection is a wonderful thing, and everybody is happy when young couples are in love. But when did these hallowed halls become a pay-by-the-hour motel?

They haven’t. And, more importantly, they shouldn’t.  There is no reason why any student should walk down the halls and be forced to watch pairs of people embracing in the middle of senior hall.

There are many other places where, if it is so necessary, these actions could occur that are far more appropriate than a hallway. A home, a car, a hotel … any of these places would suffice, as long as nobody else is forced to watch. Prepubescent sophomores should not be forced by some high school social code to prove their masculinity or sex appeal by lip-locking in the midst of disgusted onlookers.

Public displays of affection, such as holding hands, hugging or even (if it is deemed absolutely necessary) a small peck on the lips, are not necessarily bad, though they’re probably not necessary when the parting will only be for 50 minutes.

What’s bad is when the show goes beyond mere affection and starts to resemble the opening scenes of HBO Late-Night Movies. As a general rule, if you wouldn’t do it in front of your grandmother, don’t do it in the hall.

There is a basic issue at hand when it comes to public displays of affection— respect. Have some respect for teachers, friends and peers and don’t feel the need to show them just how much you love the person you’re with.

It’s fine and good if some people want to show their affection for the one they love, but there’s absolutely no need for anybody else to see it.

Play all the soft music, light all the candles and have all the passionate kisses that you want, just find someplace that isn’t 10 feet from the door of your chemistry class. Find someplace slightly more romantic than the middle of the linoleum-floored halls surrounded by “Go Braves!” posters.

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