# How often did your parents kiss/hug each other? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [May 21, 2021, 11:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-did-your-parents-kiss-hug-each-other/942617 "2021-05-21T11:40:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2021, 11:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-did-your-parents-kiss-hug-each-other/942617/1 "2021-05-21T11:40:40Z")
We’ve got a thread about you and your spouse, how about your parents with each other? And did that affect how you are with your spouse? As for myself, I never saw my parents kiss, hug or even hold hands. I never saw my father put his arm around my mother (or us kids) or any other expression of physical affection. I never even saw them dance together. Throughout their 59-year marriage, they were more like brother and sister. There was a type of love between them, but it wasn’t overtly expressed. As I said in the other thread, my husband and I can’t keep our hands off each other. Perhaps this is something that skips a generation. ---
**Author:** ![TokyoBayer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tokyobayer/32/13989_2.png) [@TokyoBayer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TokyoBayer)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2021, 11:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-did-your-parents-kiss-hug-each-other/942617/2 "2021-05-21T11:59:33Z")
I never saw my parents do any of that, either. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2021, 12:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-did-your-parents-kiss-hug-each-other/942617/3 "2021-05-21T12:04:49Z")
My parents were born circa 1930. I never saw them exhibit great passion for each other (thankfully), but they did frequently touch and hug and kiss in front of me. ---
**Author:** ![LH75](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lh75/32/4438_2.png) [@LH75](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LH75)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2021, 12:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-did-your-parents-kiss-hug-each-other/942617/4 "2021-05-21T12:23:46Z")
My Dad passed away when I was 18 months old, so I can’t answer this directly. My Mother never dated another man and would be almost always be moved to tears when ever she spoke of him. I never doubted their love. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2021, 1:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-did-your-parents-kiss-hug-each-other/942617/5 "2021-05-21T13:25:43Z")
I remember them doing it a few times. Usually after they’d consumed some alcohol, although it would have been no more than a glass of wine because anyone who drinks more than that is an irresponsible alcoholic which is what will happen to me if I don’t straighten up and start taking school seriously. ---
**Author:** ![Jumpbass](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jumpbass/32/147_2.png) [@Jumpbass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jumpbass)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2021, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-did-your-parents-kiss-hug-each-other/942617/6 "2021-05-21T13:36:58Z")
I don’t remember them kissing or hugging much. I just think I wasn’t paying attention, though. I mean, my parents? Ew. I do know they had an active sex life. Don’t ask how I know. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2021, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-did-your-parents-kiss-hug-each-other/942617/7 "2021-05-21T16:16:44Z")
Very frequently, and they’re still together after almost 50 years. I’m probably very lucky. ---
**Author:** ![Die\_Capacitrix](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/die_capacitrix/32/9_2.png) [@Die\_Capacitrix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Die_Capacitrix)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2021, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-did-your-parents-kiss-hug-each-other/942617/8 "2021-05-21T17:00:15Z")
My parents do so quite frequently, and they’ve been married over 50 years. Their parents also did so. I don’t think I ever saw my in-laws kiss or hug each other. They got divorced just after we got married. ---
**Author:** ![Hari\_Seldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hari_seldon/32/5173_2.png) [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2021, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-did-your-parents-kiss-hug-each-other/942617/9 "2021-05-21T19:54:12Z")
My parents also hugged and kissed regularly. Like @Jumpbass’s, they had an active sex life. Don’t ask how I know. ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2021, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-did-your-parents-kiss-hug-each-other/942617/10 "2021-05-21T20:08:01Z")
Frequently for over 30 years until my father died. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2021, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-did-your-parents-kiss-hug-each-other/942617/11 "2021-05-21T20:17:58Z")
My dad was born in '33, my mom in '40; they married in 1963 (and are still married today). I’d say that public displays of affection between them, when I was a kid, were uncommon, but not unheard of – occasional kisses or hugs in my presence. I don’t remember ever seeing them hold hands while walking together, or anything like that. ---
**Author:** ![P-man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/p-man/32/3606_2.png) [@P-man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/P-man)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2021, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-did-your-parents-kiss-hug-each-other/942617/12 "2021-05-22T00:34:18Z")
My parents were always openly affectionate. At 86, I’d say they still are after 67 years. ---
**Author:** ![TokyoBayer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tokyobayer/32/13989_2.png) [@TokyoBayer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TokyoBayer)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2021, 6:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-did-your-parents-kiss-hug-each-other/942617/13 "2021-05-22T06:27:16Z")
> [@Hari\_Seldon](#): > > they had an active sex life. Don’t ask how I know. We had the parents’ bedroom, the girls’ bedroom and the boys’ bedroom which was down the hall. Talking to my sister, apparently the girls could hear activities at night. Thankfully, we were too far away. ---
**Author:** ![Mighty\_Mouse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mighty_mouse/32/7776_2.png) [@Mighty\_Mouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mighty_Mouse)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2021, 11:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-did-your-parents-kiss-hug-each-other/942617/14 "2021-05-22T11:01:30Z")
My parents had six children and are obviously very much in love after 56 years of marriage. But the only time I have seen them touch each other (even holding hands) has been on the dance floor. Oh and when my father has been seriously ill and incapacitated. My mother would help him get up out of bed or a chair safely. ---
**Author:** ![TRC4941](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trc4941/32/6792_2.png) [@TRC4941](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TRC4941)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2021, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-did-your-parents-kiss-hug-each-other/942617/15 "2021-05-24T16:12:05Z")
My parents were married in 1960. I remember seeing them kiss at least once a day. My dad always kissed my mom when he left for work. He kissed us kids when he left for work too. We’d still be in bed and he’d come in and kiss us goodbye. That’s a great memory I have of my dad. ---
**Author:** ![peedin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peedin/32/14095_2.png) [@peedin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/peedin)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2021, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-did-your-parents-kiss-hug-each-other/942617/16 "2021-05-24T16:46:29Z")
My mom was born in 1921, dad in 1919, married in 1944. Four children. I never saw them kiss or hold hands. I often wonder how they had kids??? Even my father admitted my mother was a cold fish. My sister and I don’t remember our mother ever telling us she loved us. ---
**Author:** ![WildaBeast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wildabeast/32/6_2.png) [@WildaBeast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WildaBeast)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2021, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-did-your-parents-kiss-hug-each-other/942617/17 "2021-05-24T16:58:24Z")
I don’t recall ever seeing them kiss each other, but they hugged each other almost every day, or every work day at least. That was how they greeted each other upon dad returning from work each day. And they are still married after 40-something years, getting close to 50. ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2021, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-often-did-your-parents-kiss-hug-each-other/942617/18 "2021-05-25T01:17:06Z")
By the time I was old enough to take note, I believe I had driven them to the point of “we definitely do not want to deal with any more of that so we just better knock it off with this shit right now.” I might have noticed some affection, but it was quite perfunctory.