Riccardo Liguori Dunedin airport, New Zealand, has introduced a 3-minute limit for hugs at the gate, sparking controversy and irony on social media. A measure, designed to manage traffic, which raises questions about the role of emotions in an increasingly frenetic society
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In New Zealand, goodbyes at Dunedin Airport are strictly timed: 3 minutes, no more, no less. The decision has fired up reactions on social media between the absurd and the praise of its practicality.
Why limit the goodbyes?
What prompted this New Zealand airport to cap lengthy goodbyes?
The primary motivation appears to be congestion in the passenger drop-off area. “Too many hugs, too many tears, and too many cars piling up“, is what airport officials seemed to think. So now, signs now urge travelers to keep good-byes under three minutes—or risk being moved on to the parking area.
As the general manager of the airport, Dan De Bono, puts it, “We just want to keep traffic flowing smoothly and make sure everyone can say their goodbyes.” But not everyone buys into his explanation. “We’re not robots! An airport should be a place for emotions, not an assembly line!” one Facebook user wrote. The concept of timing hugs like a parking meter has struck some social media users as being somewhat.
Backlash and sarcasm on social media
Soon, angry comments started pouring in. “Inhumane!!” “Ridiculous!!” “How can you put a limit on love?” read comments on the Facebook post by the airport. Others went a step further into irreverent humor: “What’s next, timing kisses?” or “Similar rules in schools please where every morning goodbye hugs and endless advice turn the drop-off into an epic saga.”.
One of the most-liked comments, laced with sarcasm, was: “Genius idea! Now we won’t have to worry about missing our flights because some crybaby just can’t stop sobbing.” This comment alone received hundreds of likes to show this topic has touched a nerve.
Are airports the place for drama?
Not all reactions, however, were hostile. Some comments came in to support the initiative, saying that indeed too often, airports do witness excessive outbursts of emotion. “Three minutes is plenty for a goodbye,” one commenter added, saying, “Besides, no one likes watching tearful public dramas.”
Because of this, the sentiments of the public have polarized against the “timed farewell” rule. On one side are those for the right to express their feelings without time limits; on the other side are the people who ask for “practicality” and respect for everybody’s time.
What do you think? Would you trade a few minutes of cuddles for improved airport flow? But the argument aside, Dunedin Airport’s new rule reflects a more meaningful question: what space is left for feelings in an ever-speedier, ever-more regulative world?
