Why kiss?

Asking the question, "why kiss?" actually leads to a great discussion. The latest research reveals that each of us has a microbial cloud that follows us wherever we go, records what we do, and eventually may be able to track with whom we interact. In the not so distant future, our microbial imprint will be detectable. Your microbial cloud is more unique than your fingerprint. Imagine that if you are a crime scene - you leave microscopic evidence of your presence. The good news is that a microbial cloud will deteriorate over time. Like DNA evidence the applications and potential is enormous. Unlike DNA, you will not be required to voluntarily submit a sample. So, what does this have to do with kissing?

Philematologists, or those who study the science of kissing, can assist you in understanding the phenomenon of kissing. Kissing is an intimate act of giving and collecting intimate information. Most of the information gathering is sub-conscious. Why kiss? Because, through the act of kissing we are interacting mocrobially, hormonally, sensually and socially. Kissing is not always a sexual behavior. Kissing can convey acceptance, respect, acknowledgement, liking, trusting and caring. Our lips have the highest concentration of nerve endings and the most sensitive to tactile stimulation.

As a species, kissing is perhaps our most primal behaviors. Kissing behavior has been observed throughout the animal kingdom ...

squirrels:
kiss as a way of identifying one another, sniffing his partner’s neck gland for a familiar scent.

meerkats:
often groom and “kiss” the faces of their alpha members, both after they’ve been scent-marked as subordinate, and when certain members return to the group after a brief separation

parrots:
often groom and “kiss” the faces of their alpha members, both after they’ve been scent-marked as subordinate, and when certain members return to the group after a brief separation

puffins:
engage in "billing,” the technical term for puffin kissing, consisting of two puffins rubbing their beaks together; it is typically performed when the two begin their courting

blue vervets:
these monkeys “kiss” as part of a greeting – before play or grooming –  by touching their muzzles together

polar bears:
may “kiss” one another to show affection, especially in the spirit of reconciliation

chimpanzees:
after a fight, members of this species make up by embracing and kissing one another

snails:
while mating, a snail caresses its partner’s antennae as an expression of emotion

cows:
“kiss” one another for hours as a show of their affection

elephants:
when two elephants meet, each “kisses” by affectionately sticking its trunk in the other elephant’s mouth

Hopefully you realize that kissing, for reasons other than sexual interplay, are completely acceptable. The caveat, considering recent research in the human microbiome, is that when it comes to intimacy caution should come before pleasure.