Illustration: Peter C. Espina/GT

 

Not many people may know or remember that July 6 is International Kissing Day. July 6 was originally celebrated as the National Kissing Day in the United Kingdom, and approximately two decades ago this day was adopted universally by United Nations. It is not, however, as commercialized as Valentine's Day.

The underlying idea behind celebrating International Kissing Day is that most people have forgotten and overlooked the simple pleasure associated with kissing. This day is set to promote kissing as an enjoyable experience rather than just a formal greeting.

Kissing contests of different kinds are held in different places. People get a chance to set "kissing records" and win lots of prizes.

Can you think of your sweetest kiss? It may be a first kiss, a formal kiss, a passionate kiss, a goodbye kiss, a kiss from your child or a thank you kiss from your closest friend.

Unfortunately our vitiated minds associate kissing only as a precursor to physical sex between couples. We imagine kissing merely as an amorous activity between people.

Kissing has been glamorized by Hollywood movies and now it has become commonplace in the films and television shows of countries around the globe.

It is not clear how, when and who invented the first kiss. But surely it was not invented like any other gadget such as phone, light or doorknob. Hence the word "kiss" is not named after the person who first brought his lips together and opened them at once with a smooching sound.

In many countries, kissing is a part of the culture. When two people meet, they greet each other with a kiss on the cheeks. It may be followed by a hug or a handshake.

In other cultures, it may seem strange to greet someone with a kiss. I know Chinese people generally don't go beyond a "nihao." In some countries like north Sudan, a greeting involves prolonged handshakes, hugging on both sides and exchanging pleasantries.

At the same time, one can find young boys and girls openly kissing in public places like subways, streets or parks.

Kissing is taken so much for granted that many people don't know some interesting facts. Kissing releases enzymes that make your pupils dilate. That could be the reason why you close your eyes when you kiss. When your lips touch, five out of 12 cranial nerves switch on to pick up data about the suitability of the person in question. Two-thirds of us tilt our heads to the right when we kiss and it is not related to right-handedness.

There is even a book called The Science of Kissing by Sheril Kershenbaum, which has everything you always wanted to know about kissing but either haven't asked, couldn't find out, or didn't realize you should understand.

Interestingly, in corporate management, the term "KISS" is used for discussions or meetings to denote "Keep It Short and Simple."

Whatever the history, science or rationale for kissing, one thing is certain: kissing is an expression of love, be it a mother and child, two friends or a romantic couple. For the health conscious, a one-minute kiss burns 6.4 calories. So let us celebrate kissing for whatever reason we like and remind ourselves of this sweet gesture of love on this day.

This article was published on the Global Times Metropolitan section Two Cents page, a space for reader submissions, including opinion, humor and satire. The ideas expressed are those of the author alone, and do not represent the position of the Global Times.