Friday, July 6, 2012

Today is International Kissing Day!

    That's right! International Kissing Day today! This day has gradually been declared in most countries.


    Now I'm sure that anyone expected this topic on Hiawatha House. Why I didn't think this topic would ever be on Hiawatha House. However, I heard a piece on CBC radio's The Current about National Kissing Day and it was interesting. 


     So there are pecks on the cheek, pecks on the forehead, kisses on the lips and probably many more that I'm not aware of. There are good kissers and bad kissers. There are favorite kisses. There are kisses that have big influences. Russian men give the big bear hug and kisses on both cheeks when they meet a man.Where did kissing come from? The experts aren't quite sure . Alexander the Great found kissing in India and brought it back. The Europeans are responsible for spreading kissing around the world. 


    Some cultures didn't have kissing but "smelling." We have small musk glands underneath the eye. That scent can be picked up, subconsiously I guess, and in so doing the person is recognized in some way. 


    My Grandma was like most other Grannies. She adored her grandchildren and would shower them with kisses. When my brother and I were little guys we didn't like Grandma's kisses. She would come on the train to visit us. We would be dancing up and down until the train stopped. Then we would run behind the station and hide so Grandma couldn't kiss us. However , sooner or later we had to face Grandma. 


    My most surprising kiss? I was in the staff room one day enjoying a coffee and going over some upcoming lessons. The office staff happened to be in the staff room and they were rather excited. One of them was applying a thick coating of lipstick. So she said she was going to kiss me. I treated it as a bluff. But it wasn't a bluff and too late for me I got the red lipstick kiss. Of course , all the office staff were in on it so that was the reason for their lively behavior and they found the incident hilarious.


    I come from a family of four boys. Once in a while our wives swap stories about their husband's kissing. Then they embarrass us by discussing our kissing habits. So their story is that we are all shy and some initiative has to be taken on their part. They all say we are getting better so that's a good thing.


    My friend's Dad died last year. They were together as a family and talking about what they would miss most about their Dad and husband. When it came mom's turn she said "the kisses." It was something none of them expected but something that spoke volumes about the couple's relationship.


    So to all people out there, "Happy kissing day" or whatever you're supposed to say on such a day. 


     Some bloggers quite often end posts or a comment "Hugs to all " and some "hugs and kisses to all."


     


    

29 comments:

  1. Very cool. My next door neighbour told me that today was International Kissing Day just a couple of hours ago. Fun information, Red. Now if you'll excuse me, I have some catching up to do.

    XO ;)

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  2. I wasn't aware of International Kissing Day so thanks for bringing it to my attention. I don't expect to win any blue ribbons in this area, but I think I do okay. I don't recall any complaints.

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    1. Like your don't recall any complaints.

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  3. I've got to go kiss my hubby now, since I don't want to miss a chance to kiss and hug him up on our special day! :-)

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    1. I always knew you were an opportunist.

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  4. I missed out, nobody planted one on me.

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  5. Happy Kissing Day..who knew!! I suppose by the looks of the time..I have missed all the fun:)

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  6. Well you are full of information.
    I have never heard of such a ridiculous day.
    Certainly not on the the agenda here in Australia.
    I think Alexander the Great had a "boy friend" well and truely before he got to India.
    Anyhow Alexander the Great never got back to where he came from. He died before he ever saw his homeland again. He died of heartbreak due to the death by possible foul means of his lover, Hephaestion! Alexander died in 323 BC!
    So "this kissing day" sure has had a long, strange history.
    Cheers
    Colin (Brisbane. Australia)

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    1. Sorry Colin but Australia is in on this day. They were some of the first counties to declare this "ridiculous " day. So go with the flow on this one!!!

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  7. Oh I forgot. Wimbledon Junior Boys final
    Luke Saville(1) Australia v's Filip Pelivo (4) Canada. Rankings in brackets. It better the Australian who wins. He is the defending champion. Go you little Aussie!
    Sorry - ha ha.

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    1. Well you better win! We have half the time to play and still we're pretty darn good. Just think if we had the whole year to play. You guys wouldn't even be ranked.

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  8. I am still smiling at this, Red! I just told my hubby and he was obviously very excited at the opportunity to spread the wealth! Thanks for letting us know!

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    1. Great for both of you. Keep on kissin.

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  9. Seeing as I missed International Kissing Day, I think the first person I meet today I will kiss and then tell them why. Red, you do surprise us - I loved this post and it made me smile, feel warm n fuzzy inside - and now I just want to kiss someone. he,he
    Have a great day.

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  10. Oh no I missed kissing day? Oh well only another 364 more days to go until it strikes again.

    I LOVE your stories, the Gramma one is way too cute as is the red lipstick and school staff, but the favorite one is the mom who was going to miss his kisses the most. I must be a true romantic, that touched my heart.

    It was quick for your blog to load, no photos must be why. Have a wonderful sunny weekend Red!

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    1. It may be another 364 days for the day again but I'm sure somebody like you won't miss any of the action in the next 364 days!!!

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    2. I'll have to slow down long enough to be caught to be kissed I suppose! lol

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  11. You brought tears to my eyes when you said the wife would miss the kisses. I agree...I would miss the kisses!

    Great fun Post!. Red lipstick to you, Red!


    Linda
    http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com
    http://deltacountyhistoricalsociety.wordpress.com

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  12. Yes, let us celebrate kisses : but real kisses and not those polite air kisses against cheeks that seem so popular these days. Great piece Red, and some fascinating history.

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  13. Great post Red. I never heard of this before either. Like Linda.....I'd miss the kisses too;)

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  14. a fun day! thanks for the scoop!

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  15. I never knew of this Red, earlier I used to check in the mornings if it was any special day but now I have too much work to do :(

    Great post with wonderful stories!! xoxo Ruby

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