Were the public displays of affection between the French President and his wife signs of genuine affection or no more than a last-ditch effort to save face in front of the world?
Were the public displays of affection between theu00a0French President and his wife signs of genuine affection or no more than a last-ditch effort to save face in front of the world?
The love story of French President Nicolas Sarkozy and French First Lady Carla Bruni has always read like something torn from the pages of a fairytale. 
France's President Nicolas Sarkozy and First Lady Carla Bruni-Sarkozy
attend a meeting at ISRO satellite centre in Bangalore. pic/AFP
Beginning with their much talked about first date at Disneyland Parc in Paris, 2007 to their whirlwind romance, followed by a marriage less than nine weeks later -- their relationship has always been the stuff of paparazzi fodder.
When Sarkozy announced a four-day trip to India, the rumour mills went into overdrive with speculation on an impending divorce. There was even talk that he would be visiting India alone.
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The morning of December 4, 2010, saw the French President lay those rumours to rest -- at least for the time being -- when he walked down the steps of his chartered flight at the HAL Airport in Bangalore with the French First Lady in tow.
The couple even held hands at a formal organisation like the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). After which, Sarkozy took his wife to the Taj Mahal to fulfill a promise made to her two years ago, making the stories of infidelity seem difficult to believe.
According to 32-year-old hotelier Payal Joshi, however, the couple's public display of affection could be no more than a way to send a message out that all is well. "What we see is affection, but does that mean that the affection really exists?" asks Payal.
candid camera?
There are others too, who believe that pictures seldom tell the true story. Explaining that Sarkozy and Bruni had no other option, but to portray a happy image, software engineer Sahil Gupta says, "That is how it works with celebrities - keep the smile on and project yourself as a happy couple. It doesn't matter even if the smile is fake."
Explaining that images of the couple holding hands in public affirm that they are affectionate towards each other, actress Ira Dubey says, "From their body language I would say they are happy and comfortable with each other."
Actress-singer Vasundhara Das agrees, but goes on to say however that public displays of affection are not always a parameter for gauging love. "The pictures show that they like to be close to each other," she says.
Corporate and soft skills trainer Sabrina Dutta speculates that Sarkozy and Bruni chose a new country to strengthen their bond. "The photographs clearly indicate that the couple is happy to 'BE' with each other," she says.
Speculation will continue whether it is true love that makes Bruni look adoringly at her husband or whether it is no more than an effort to maintain a happy image. But once again, Sarkozy and Bruni provide loads of fodder to those wanting a peek into the hearts and minds of one of the most talked about couples in the world.
5 Rules of Public Display of Affection
>> Do not grope or make out with your partner.
>> Refrain from using bedroom nicknames.
>> Holding hands or walking arm-in-arm is okay.
>> Do limit kissing in public to quick pecks on the lips, forehead, or cheek.u00a0
>> Saying, 'I love you' in public is sweet, but don't overdo it.
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