Dolphins are very social creatures

I've always had personal misgivings about this activity. My assumption is that the dolphins are kept against their will, and probably don't want to pull a group of humans around like cargo. Further, many people say they love playing with people--and that it makes them happy. But, my guess is that humans assume that dolphins are happy because dolphins have a face in the shape of a happy human face---we look at them, and it looks like they are smiling, so therefore, they must be happy.

THe other objection I had was that I wasn't interested in swimming in a pool filled with dolphin excrement, but then I realized, that in any body of water, that issue exists if I really think about it.

So, Amy and I got over our minor concerns and went to meet the dolphins in Ixtapa. It was honestly, really fun. The dolphins lifted us up into the sky by pushing on the bottom of our feet. Then the dolphins swam in and around us while we were allowed to stroke their flanks and fins (no fingers in blowholes or genitals). Then, we each got to go up and establish a relationship with the dolphin. In reality, it was like dolphin speed-dating---the trainers would yell "shake hands with the dolphins" (really their flippers), "Hug the dolphin" (the dolphin would oblige) and then, they got really pushy "Kiss the dolphin" (Amy had said early on that she would NOT kiss the dolphin, but she gave in to the trainer's pressure). After that, we then had our picture taken where the dolphin is halfway out of the water, and holding out the flippers--and we grab on and sort of pull out like we are a delighted couple who just finished the best dance of their life. Except, this couple is dolphin and human, and it feels like both sides were phoning it in a bit.

At the end of the day, I was standing outside of the bus and another passenger was discussing the program, and I said I wasn't sure how I felt about the dolphins being in captivity. She said "Dolphins are very social creatures. They love it!" I started to argue "Social with humans or social with other dolphins?!?" and then she looked at me like I was crazy. "They have a good life, they get every meal taken care of, blah blah blah". I could have argued some more, but I am hopelessly misinformed about the nature of dolphin encounters, who runs them and whether they are "good" or "Bad" plus, what's the point of arguing with this lady who is on vacation?

So, I murmured something neutral and pretended to look for something in my backpack and then asked her about her home in Vancouver.

Anyone know if dolphins are into making out with humans in a tank with no view of the ocean, but withing 500 yards? Anyone?

I feel judgey.