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Public displays of affection are big here in Kyiv -- like really, really big -- with long extended sessions of making out for everyone to see. I noticed the "openness" (we'll call it) when I came for a short visit in October of last year. I asked my American colleague who's well versed in post-Soviet states about it when we were walking around the city. Her explanation was that everyone lives at home with their parents/family and most young Kyivans don't have another option for expressing their affections aside from public venues. That may be true, but it amazes me at the length and forwardness of some of the public make outs I've seen. I've been trying hard for a while now to capture this on film (which I know makes me sound kind of perverted), but I finally caught a snapshot tonight as we were walking through Midan, also known as Independence Square, in the heart of the city. Please note the ass-grab.