Go ahead: Kiss and tell

Break out the Chapstick and pucker up. International Kissing Day is Friday.

Forgive the stereotyping, but from a cultural perspective, "British" doesn't exactly evoke passion and romance. Italy, maybe. Certainly Paris. Yet that's where this kiss-crazy trend began: National Kissing Day in the U.K. In 2005 Brits held the world record for longest kiss (31.5 hours), but a Thai couple took the title last year with an unfathomable 46 hours.

A sigh may be just a sigh, but a kiss isn't just a kiss. There are so many ways to kiss; the first kiss of romance, the wet snog, mother's tender kiss of babe, the begrudging kiss, a kiss of sympathy. For those world record holders, add the when-will-this-be-over kiss.

A kiss is communication, perhaps more telling than words.

Consider how romantic kisses have evolved just in past decades, let alone the centuries. Tongue wasn't normal until relatively recently in Western civilization; the lip-to-lip still-press was more the fashion. Think of the average '50s film, when the press became a little more of a rub with side swivels. Now film stars practically vacuum each other with open mouths.

Let's not forget the holy kiss. Until the 16th century, kisses were part of mass. At first congregants kissed each other; later a board was substituted to receive kisses. The Protestant Reformation removed kisses entirely. Nevertheless, holy kisses persist; some still kiss crosses or other symbols, and occasionally each other during services. A sad addendum is Judas' kiss which betrayed Jesus.

Then there's culture. Do friends and acquaintances kiss? Depends on where you are. In France one barely knows everyone he pecks on the cheek, and friends kiss on the mouth. In other cultures it may reflect degree of friendship, some allowing woman-woman kiss greetings and with relatives or good friends, woman-man; but less often man to man. In others there are no gender limits for the kiss of friendship.

Even within the U.S. norms vary. In North Idaho friends rarely kiss, but in southern Texas it's quite common. Perhaps even states' internal kissing cultures vary. Idaho's friendly governor is the kissing sort; he was raised in the rural south of the state.

How about the anatomy of a kiss? Is it more than spit swap?

A kiss can lower blood pressure and stress. A kiss even burns a few calories; the pucker takes some muscle. All that mouth action triggers responses in the brain, releasing oxytocin, dopamine, serotonin, and even adrenaline - all of which contribute to pleasurable and relaxed feelings.

So have a kiss. It's good for you.

Sholeh Patrick is a columnist for the Hagadone News Network. Contact her at [email protected].