If you think of London’s morning commute, romance probably doesn’t spring to mind. It’s hardly anyone’s idea of a romantic setting. Think about it: between cramped carriages, delayed trains, and sweaty crowds, most people are too busy counting down the stops and avoiding eye contact. Yet, lately, some couples have decided to spice things up rather differently: with full-on snogging sessions.Public displays of affection, also known as PDA, on the Underground have stirred up a proper storm. For some, couples locking lips during the morning rush are just making an already miserable journey worse. It’s turned into a bit of an internet joke: should there be a ‘snogging ban’ before 10 am? And if you’re caught, maybe your Oyster card gets confiscated.This debate took off on social media last November. Reports of couples kissing in packed Tube carriages and on escalators drew sharp criticism. Some called for more decorum; others defended the freedom to be affectionate wherever you fancy.So, is London heading towards a morning kissing curfew, or is this simply another case of commuters finding something new to complain about?
Why ban morning snogging?
So why are people complaining? Photos and videos of couples making out on the Underground started popping up online. The big issue? Timing. Nobody wants to watch a marathon make-out session when they’re bleary-eyed and rushing for work at 8 am.One social media user reportedly complained: “There’s a time and a place and it’s not 8am on the Piccadilly line.” Others echoed the sentiment, calling the behavior unnecessary and asking couples to be more considerate. In packed carriages, a long smooch feels extra awkward. Some even labeled it unhygienic, as London’s crowded and poorly ventilated Underground is hardly fresh air central during rush hour.All the complaints eventually turned into a tongue-in-cheek proposal: a rule banning snogging before 10 am, and offenders lose their Oyster cards. However, it’s important to note that, in reality, Transport for London (TfL) hasn’t proposed or enacted anything like it; this is pure social media banter.
Romance gets a defense
Interestingly, the backlash has been met with an equally enthusiastic defence of public romance. Turns out, not everyone hates public affection. The backlash sparked plenty of defenders. One journalist, in The Independent, argued that snogging on the Tube could actually be sweet and spontaneous, and slammed the idea that affection should be stifled just because strangers are watching. Others pointed out: If commuters can play music, chat loudly, or sprawl with giant bags, why is a kiss such a big deal?The debate is now split: some want good old British restraint, others say the Tube shouldn’t be a romance-free zone.
What are the actual rules?
Despite the online fuss, London’s transport rules don’t ban consensual, ordinary kissing. TfL’s “TravelKind” campaign urges passengers to be considerate, make space, and respect priority seating, which basically translates to this: behave, but it doesn’t call out romance as a crime.They do crack down on antisocial behavior: you can’t block doors or annoy fellow travelers, and playing music aloud is banned unless you’ve got written permission.As for the question, “should kisses be banned before 10 am,” right now, the “kissing curfew” is nothing more than a running joke. There’s no deadline for romance, and nobody’s losing their Oyster card for a quick peck. However, maybe the middle ground is just common sense. A fast goodbye kiss? No biggie. A heavy session blocking the doors? Maybe keep that aside during the rush hour.Londoners have enough on their plate: delays, crowded trains, high fares. Whether they need to add romance regulation to the mix is anyone’s guess. Until TfL changes its tune, love is fine on the Underground. Just remember that not everyone wants to watch the opening act of your rom-com before they’ve even had their coffee!