A debate ensued when an airport in New Zealand limited the hug time between passengers and those who came to see them off to less than three minutes.
According to a recent CNN report, New Zealand’s Dunedin Airport posted a sign in the vehicle drop-off area asking people to hug for no more than 3 minutes and saying, “Please say a more affectionate goodbye in the parking lot.”
The airport explained that the reason for establishing this rule was “for the flow of surrounding traffic and safety.” Currently, Dunedin Airport allows free parking for 15 minutes in the vehicle drop-off area, but it appears that operations are disrupted as some people stay longer than this.
Daniel de Bono, CEO of Dunedin Airport, said in an interview with New Zealand’s RNZ radio, “Studies show that just 20 seconds of hugging explodes oxytoxin, called the ‘love hormone,'” and added, “The faster customers move, the more people hug.” “I can say goodbye,” he said.
After this fact became known, some people online said, “It’s so heartless that there is a 3-minute time limit for those who break up.” Some said, “Isn’t this an inhumane rule?” while others said, “If cars don’t leave in front of the airport, it will be inconvenient for people who need to catch a flight in a hurry.” There is also an opinion that “it can be done.” There was also a funny comment that said, “In our country, you have to pay if you stay at the drop-off area for a short while, but here, 15 minutes are free.”
As the new rule of ‘hugging limit of 3 minutes’ caused a big stir, the airport said, “We are watching these reactions with interest,” and added, “There is a lot of conversation going on about this rule.”
Foreign media also covered this issue. CNN covered a travel article with the title “If you want to take a plane, let go of your emotions.” The New York Post published an article on the topic of ‘inhumane regulations’, and the British Independent covered the fact that major airports in the UK have been charging usage fees at vehicle disembarkation areas for several years.
Jo Yoo-kyung, Donga.com reporter polaris27@donga.com