A kiss is just a kiss

[Amber2010]

I agree with Princessbelle, I also think it is what you have grown up with. In my family we didn't do much in affection then I met my dad's side of the family "divorce of course" they are pure italian and wow they hug and kiss and it felt so weid to me. Now I can kiss family and friends without feeling strange about it. I have a teen son who gives me the eye roll every time I do it in front of family so I try to respect that but as long as it feels good in your family and with your friends I don't see anything wrong with a kiss or a hug.

[iamkeri1]

We are big kissers in my family. Parents, aunts uncles, cousins, all got kisses - lips or cheeks - and still do. We sit comfortably with our arms around each other as well. My daughter started resisting lip kisses at about age 12, but hugs easily. My sons (all grown) will still give me a quick greeting kiss hello (or on New Year's Eve as that is our family custom.)

No big deal, nothing sexual about it. And I will say, additionally, that kids can differentiate between "good" kisses and bad kisses. My kids are adopted, and at least two of them were sexually molested as toddlers. It has had many effects on their lives in general, but they know who is "safe" and who is not, and they still want those mommy kisses.

I have lots of friends I exchange kisses with, the culture of my church includes kissing (the kiss of peace) and it would feel wierd to not get these kisses I think.

But as others have said, we are the owners of our own bodies and no one should have to endure an unwanted kiss.

Smooches, (but only if you're comfortable with it, LOL)
Keri

[Apocalipstic]

I have have friends I kiss on the lips, some on the cheek, some on both cheeks and some I hug.

Cultural differences. As as child, when we would visit the US, I was told it was inappropriate to kiss people like I do, but being inappropriate in small ways made it even more appealing!

Kissing is fabulous! Great thread TF!

Lip kisser here. Still pucker up for my Pops every week. Always did with my Ma and grannies too. Brothers not. Wider family not. Some chosen family get the lip thang some don't.

Tinkerbell and her four sons (17-26yrs) do lippage too.

[ruffryder]

I don't think its odd at all. I respect whatever differences everyone has. I grew up with this in my family. My mom,grandparents, and aunts all offered kisses on the lips, cheeks and forehead. I do with my teen daughter. Kisses along with hugs and cuddles is just a way to say hello, goodbye, goodnight, and show affection with my family.

[CA_BabyCakes]

Im a VERY affectionate person, and i kiss my kids on the lips, forehead, cheeks, nose and hands. If i sit on the couch to watch television i am usually surrounded within minutes with my little ones laying all over me. I have never felt even the tinest feeling that it was unappropriate at any time. I do however agree, culture does feed into it, I have been raised surrounded by family and kissed and hugs were always abundant!

[SweetJane]

Yes, I think shows of affection are culturally based and we bring customs from our families into our lives.

My family wasn't very affectionate, but when I married, my in-laws were. It was a big step for me to give my mother-in-law and father-in-law pecks on the lips...and even some of the aunts and uncles----all these folks were in their 70s and 80s then. I broadened my cultural experiences.

When I had children, I did give them little pecks on the lips and just about wherever else. As they got older, the kisses became more pecks on the cheek or forehead. Now in their 30s, we've settled into hugs with them and their significant others.

As for my friends, they all know I'm a hugger and a kisser. I've been known to kiss complete strangers on the cheek. Some of my friends will even get friendly pecks on the lips. But more soulful kissing is reserved for those I date.

Again, I think that it's a matter of what your culture requires, how comfortable you are with kissing, and how comfortable those around you are--IMHO

[MsTinkerbelly]

I usually kiss family and close friends on the lips...unless they offer their cheek. It's all good.

A lot of affection in my family growing up, but not everyone is comfortable with my spur of the moment, you just gotta plant one on 'em, kisses. I had a person I was dating nearly fall backwards in his chair when I came around the side and tried to unexpectedly smooch him...never tried THAT again! LOL

[~ocean]

a kiss is a kiss ....is a kiss .. ooolalala

[Luv]

Im half latino ,,my family always kisses on the cheek,,if you dont, they think your mad at them lol !

[Soon]

Affection was/is (unfortunately) rare in my family--even a kiss on the cheek is rare.

I have only kissed lovers on the lips.

[RockOn]

I came from a long line of huggers and kissers so I think nothing of a quick kiss on the lips ... even with some of my straight girlfriends I have not seen in a while and am so happy to see again. My family was very affectionate so I am pretty much a "touch you" when I am talking to you too.

[Novelafemme]

Originally Posted by Brock

I came from a long line of huggers and kissers so I think nothing of a quick kiss on the lips ... even with some of my straight girlfriends I have not seen in a while and am so happy to see again. My family was very affectionate so I am pretty much a "touch you" when I am talking to you too.

Me too! I have learned to keep my hands to myself because not everyone likes their space interrupted by my need to grope them. I have been totally lost in conversation only to find that I am unabashedly running my fingers through someones hair or rubbing their back. OOPS! Thankfully the people who are my friends know this about me and love me in spite of myself.

[SweetJane]

Originally Posted by Brock

My family was very affectionate so I am pretty much a "touch you" when I am talking to you too.

I do that, too! Even perfect strangers like at the grocery store IF we get into a conversation about something. Often I'll reach out and touch an arm or a hand. If it's a close friend and the conversation is intense, the touching also gets more intense. Usually, it's to make a point or to soften some words.

[tantalizingfemme]

Thank you for all of the responses!!

I, like many, grew up with a mother who never showed affection (unless we were in front of other people and then it was/is a grand show) and a father who hugged and kissed us freely.

It's interesting because I am extremely uncomfortable even just hugging my mother, brother and sister and yet, with my father it was comforting. I made the decision when my son was born that I was going to give him all the affection he wanted and loved all over him until around 12/13 when to even stand close to him in public was horrifying for him. Around 16/17 he "came back around" and now I take my cues from him. He's cute because sometimes I tell him he has to give his mother a hug and he gets that "geez mom you're so embarrassing but I will do this to humor you and make this all stop" look and give me a hug, but he smiles when he walks away.


Honestly, I stopped for a moment when I thought that maybe I was doing something wrong... but many of you have solidified my resolve to keep kissing til he says no more. Thank you for that.

I really appreciate hearing everyone's thoughts on this...

[RockOn]

Kiss him and tell him you love him whenever you can!

The grandmother I loved so much told me:
"If you love someone, tell the person.

Romanic relationships are harder sometimes. I know a femme from my past who will "run rabbit" the hell out of there if I tell her I love her. For, me, I have to pick up on non-verbal signals to learn a femme's comfort/discomfort levels sometimes.

Good idea for a thread!

[MarineCorps1]

Also a lip kisser. Kiss my mom on the lips. Kissed my grandparents on the lips when they were alive.

[Novelafemme]

We kiss lots in my family. I kiss my girls on the mouth, cheek, forehead, where ever! My biological family is the same way as is my partner's family. All lip kissers. I don't kiss my friends on the mouth, but I am a big cheek kisser and hugger. If it's someone I don't know very well I will ask if I can hug them or just let them know in advance that I'm coming in for a squeeze.

[WingsOnFire]

Originally Posted by iamkeri1

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Smooches, (but only if you're comfortable with it, LOL)
Keri

SMMOOOOCHES SISSY!!! LOL...seriously... I grew up kissing on the cheek not the lips... personally I wouldnt find it intimate at all unless I was intimate with the person. The bear went to kiss me on the cheek and I snuck a kiss on his lips and shocked him lol...but its nothing sexual.

I too believe its cultural or how you were raised. It wouldnt bother me either way. I am very emotional and touchy feely. If I was kissing a lover on the lips and someone who was a friend or family member on the lips it would mean two totally different things to me. I just never really thought about it before..

Thanks for the thread.

[1QuirkyKiwi]

Originally Posted by The_Lady_Snow

I kiss my cubs on the lips, cheek, hands or I still do a lil "muah" on their owies. Im affectionate with the cubs since when I was a kid there was no affection.

There are some friends I'd lip smooch with once again it's cultural a kiss on the mouth is not frowned upon or looked upon as anything other than a greeting, affection, salutations.


I know it's not often seen in American culture.

Originally Posted by Amber2010

they are pure italian and wow they hug and kiss and it felt so weid to me. but as long as it feels good in your family and with your friends I don't see anything wrong with a kiss or a hug.

It is a cultural thing from my experience; both my Maori and Italian family kissed on the lips and affection was shown freely (this is why I’m an affection bucket, lol!). In my Maori family, we do a Hongi; we press noses and foreheads together and exchange the breath of each other’s life….. It’s our version of a handshake. My closest Whenau (family) always kiss on the lips afterwards.

I will Hongi my English cousin and kiss him on the cheek and very occasionally on the lips; usually at Christmas and Birthday’s.

Friends, I sometimes Hongi and kiss on the cheek depending on their comfort level.