Loving boys in public

What do people think when they see an adult male and an unrelated tweenaged boy (age 7-12) displaying affection between them? For example, I took two 10yo boys bowling and while waiting for their turn, each boy would plop themselves onto my lap and wrap their arms around my neck. I would fold my hands across their waist. I wondered what people would think about that. I thought they would think it was sweet and cute.

If I personally saw it, I wouldn't mind;p I would think it were sweet and cute, Even if it was an actual relationship, if the younger child wasn't objecting then I wouldn't care if they had that kind of relationship, but that's how I see the world;p

wish I was there to see it;p

I think the adult male's body language would signal either safety or concern.
When I take walks with my 15 y.o. grandson, I'll put my arm around his shoulder sometimes. I don't think anything of it as we talk and joke.

Now if it were a pedophile in that scenario, he might be rubbing his back, caressing him as one would do to a girlfriend and walking very closely.

Two totally different things.

Same would apply at a bowling alley. If a young boy sat on my lap, I might put a hand on his shoulder, maybe point out a good shot, joke a little or have a soda in my other hand. I certainly would not allow him to put his head on my shoulder, nor would I act in any way that would indicate that it is some form of a "relationship."

It would really depend on your body language...boys can be affection like that with their fathers and they're affectionate back, but people tend to pick up on other people's vibes.

Personally I would probably think the worst..but that's because I'm a pedophile so I see the world a certain way lol

I seriously doubt I would even notice, to be honest. But if I did I wouldn't think anything of it. I personally think that affection is good, including in public.