The Importance of a Kiss

The longest recorded kiss in the world was set a couple of days ago on Valentine’s Day. The smooch clocked in at 46 hours and 24 minutes by a couple in Pattaya, Thailand, in a Kissathon contest in which they won a diamond ring and cash. This couple must really, really like each other to be joined at the lips for over a day, or they are the most competitive people I know.

Kissing is probably one of the simplest ways to express intimacy and love, yet it is often overlooked and highly underrated. Remember in the movie Pretty Woman when Julia Roberts’ character, a prostitute, says her one rule is that she doesn’t kiss on the mouth. Why? Because the act of kissing invokes romantic feelings and indicates there is something more than just sex.

In the beginning of most relationships there are passionate kisses aplenty, but often this fades to a peck on the lips, similar to how you would greet your grandma. It’s important to not let kisses go the way of the dodo bird. Often kissing (or lack thereof) can be a good indicator of the pulse of a relationship.

First Kisses
So just how important is a first kiss? Well I don’t exactly have scientific results to share with you, but I do know that most people I’ve talked to rank the importance of a good first kiss up there along with clean drinking water and shelter – in other words, a necessity in a romantic relationship.

This is not to say that a first kiss has to be rom-com-movie-perfect; it doesn’t matter if there are awkward moments, but it should make you feel something. If you’re on a date with someone and the first smooch is lackluster, it could be because: a) you both had a bad case of the nerves, or b) there’s no chemistry.

So if you really like this guy/girl and there happens to be a second kiss that is still not stellar, is it time to call it quits? Perhaps. If there’s no kissing chemistry, what’s the difference between this person and a good platonic friend?

Keeping Intimacy Alive
If you are feeling like your relationship with your partner has been taking a backseat to work, family, or kids, try incorporating more lip to lip action throughout the day. When you greet or say goodbye to your partner, kiss him like you mean it. That’s not to say that you need to put on a gross public display of affection; but there is a difference between an appropriate sweet, lingering kiss and an absent-minded peck on the mouth or cheek.

Stealing more kisses with your partner might just stir up some good old feelings that you’ve both been neglecting. Besides, kisses can burn between 1 and 6 calories per minute, depending on the intensity. So kiss lots, kiss passionately, and kiss like you are teenagers again.