Monday, June 19th is National Kissing Day! It is a day to get out there and kiss everyone who means something to you – your significant other, your kids, your parents, your friends, your dogs (yes, there are those of us who kiss their dogs 😊) and, if you are really REALLY special, why not surprise your enemies with a big kiss too!? Catch them off guard – you never can tell, you may make friends out of them too!
The History of Kissing
But why a kiss? Anthropologists have a couple of theories on the origins of kissing. Some believe that it is instinctual and intuitive. Others believe the theory that kissing originated thousands of years ago and derived from the habit of a parent feeding a child mouth-to-mouth (Picture birds feeding their young…apparently humans fed their children that way, too.). There is more support for the idea that kissing is learned based on the fact that not all humans kiss. Certain tribes around the world just don’t kiss—can you imagine?
The earliest reference to kissing comes from Sanskrit scriptures around 3,500 years ago. It even showed up in Sumerian poetry!
And humans aren’t the only kissers. Dolphins, apes, cats and dogs (see, we told you about dogs, didn’t we?) are all kissing fools as well.
Kissing Takes All Forms
Kissing takes all kinds of forms. There are pecks on the cheek, air kisses (picture Hollywood, folks 😘), quick lip kisses, French kisses and, getting back to the dogs, their favorite kisses are simple licks! (We don’t suggest that one for humans, just bringing the idea full circle! 😉). The idea behind all kisses? To display love and to just feel and make someone else feel good!
There can be quick kisses, hello kisses, goodbye kisses, lipstick-smeared kisses (Remember grandma kisses?), and loooooonnnnnnnnngggggg kisses. In fact, the longest kiss in the record books was for an amazing 58 hours, 35 minutes and 58 seconds long and was between Ekkachai and Laksana Tiranathoid from Thailand!
Now, you may not want to hear this, but kissing, while wonderful, can also transmit bacteria! So, in anticipation of a kiss-filled day (and hopefully lots of kiss-filled days), be sure you start out every day with a clean, fresh mouth! Brush your teeth, floss, and be sure to use your TUNG Brush and Gel to clean your tongue daily.
Then pucker up, buttercup! HAPPY KISSING! 😚
