How to Air Kiss

There are times when you're greeting people with whom you are on good enough terms to call for something more than just a handshake or hug, but it's just not appropriate or comfortable to plant a kiss directly on their cheek. In these cases, giving them an air kiss, where you brush cheeks and kiss the air near their cheek, is a good display of social decorum. Made popular by celebrities, who must often mingle and make nice with people they barely know, it's most common on formal social occasions and among friendly, well-mannered acquaintances.

1. Know when to air kiss. Consider both the occasion and the nature of your relationship with each person you greet. Typically, a formal event (such as weddings, formal parties, and official ceremonies) that brings together people who are on good terms, but who otherwise don't see each other, is the common setting for air kisses. Less formal occasions (family get-togethers, neighborhood barbecue, and casual lunches) may warrant the traditional hug and lips-on-cheek kiss, especially if you see the person you're greeting on a regular basis.
2. Observe how other people are greeting each other. This will give you the opportunity to gauge the formality of the occasion and confirm your judgment about whether this is an appropriate time to air kiss. For example, if you're approaching an entrance and the host is at the door greeting people, see how they are behaving. If your cousin, who's in front of you, gets an air kiss, and you're no closer to the host than your cousin is, then you're probably going to be expected to give an air kiss.
3.

Read their body language. As you approach, reach out with your hand, whether to touch or grasp their upper arm, elbow, or hand(s). If they recoil or tighten up in any way, it might be wise to consider defaulting to just a loose hug. If they seem relaxed and return your contact, an air kiss is probably in order. And if they embrace you affectionately or touch your face, prepare to kiss and be kissed, traditional style.
4.

Lean in for an air kiss. Aim to bring your lips near their right cheek (unless it's customary in your culture to start with the left). Remain observant, though, that they're going for your right cheek, because if they go for your left cheek and you go for their right (or vice versa) there may be an awkward halt as you both realize your faces are about to crash together. As you're going in for the kiss, it's not uncommon to brush cheeks gently.
5.

Kiss the air next to their cheek. Purse your lips together and kiss the air just to the side of their face. Depending what's customary for the cultural context of the event, it may be appropriate to switch sides and repeat, going in for an air kiss on the opposite cheek.


Tips:

* For an extravagant, boisterous touch, exclaim a person's name with a smile as you approach. Since the air kiss is all about showing affection without actually giving it, this is another way to reinforce a positive interaction without physical contact.
* Women sometimes make a discreet kissing sound (like "muah!") when they air kiss; it's generally seen as a friendly and feminine gesture to further embellish the greeting.
* In some cultures, it is customary to give two, three, or even four air kisses upon greeting or leaving someone at a social occasion. It's always best to concede to observation, however, because local etiquette can sometimes vary greatly from the cultural context.

o In Spain, it's generally two kisses, starting with the right cheek.
o In the Netherlands, three kisses are expected.
* When in doubt, shake hands.


Warnings:

* Giving the wrong kind of kiss can have negative social implications.

o If you give someone an air kiss when they feel comfortable enough to give you a peck right on the cheek, they may feel insulted at your subtle lack of intimacy.
o If you give an actual kiss when all they expected was an air kiss like the one they give you, you might feel embarrassed, or your kiss might be misinterpreted as something more.
o When visiting a country unfamiliar to you, beware of the cultural traditions. In Central Europe it's common to kiss on greeting someone; in Australia it is almost never done.

How to Give Someone a Hickey

A hickey is a discoloration of the skin—a bruise, really—caused by prolonged suction of the mouth against the skin. Hickeys are a rite of passage, a mark of love or possession that advertises the hickey wearer’s relationship with the hickey giver. This article explains how to give a hickey to your boyfriend or girlfriend.
Steps

1. Get the person's permission. Just because you want to leave your mark of love on your boyfriend or girlfriend doesn't mean he or she wants to wear an ugly bruise. Ask first, even if your partner has been kissing you, and stop if he or she wants you to (hickeys can cause the receiver discomfort).
2. Choose the right spot. You can give someone a hickey just about anywhere. The most common place is on the throat, because the capillaries (tiny blood vessels) that are broken during a hickey are pretty close to the surface and because you don’t need to remove any clothing to give a hickey on the neck. These are also the most easily visible, and while visibility is usually intended, you may want to give or receive a hickey elsewhere where it is more easily covered.
3. Place your lips against the skin, leaving your mouth open slightly in the middle. Your lips should be parted as though you are saying the letter “O.”
4. Suck on the skin. Make a good seal with your lips against the skin, and suck the skin as though you’re trying to suck it into your mouth. Continue applying suction for at least 30 seconds, possibly more. The suction will break the capillaries beneath the skin and cause the characteristic bruising that is a hickey.


Tips

* Wait a few minutes for the hickey to appear. It will probably get darker or bigger in the hours after you give it.
* If you can't seem to give a hickey, try sucking on the skin for more time, and make sure you have a good seal between the mouth and skin so that your suction is most powerful.
* It may help to start with your tongue against their skin, inside your mouth, then pull it back as you suck
* If your partner doesn't want a hickey to be noticeable, ask if you can give one to him or her in a less conspicuous spot. The belly is good, not only because it won't be seen by others, but also because it provides a flat surface against which you can easily create good suction.


Warnings

* Receiving a hickey can be painful. If you don’t like the way it feels, pull away and tell the person to stop. If someone asks you to stop giving a hickey, respect his or her wishes.
* Don’t bite. Suction is all that is required to give a hickey. If you use your teeth you run the risk of breaking the skin and causing infection. Even if it doesn't break the skin, it will hurt a lot in the days to come.

How to Kiss Passionately

There are kisses for just about every emotion and occasion--the greeting kiss on the cheek, the maternal kiss on the forehead, an affectionate kiss on the lips, the kiss of death--but on those certain occasions when you want to communicate passion and, maybe, lust, not just any kiss will do. You need a fiercely passionate kiss. If done incorrectly, these kisses can turn out being gross or sloppy, but when performed with skill and feeling, there is no greater expression of love. Here's how to get it right.
Steps

1. Make sure your breath is fresh and clean. Naturally you practice good dental hygiene, but if you have any doubts about your breath, take a breath mint shortly before the kiss. Make sure to finish the mint before you lock lips.
2. Approach the kiss with confidence. Once you've chosen the right moment to kiss someone, there's no turning back, especially if it's your first time kissing that particular person. Be decisive and confident. If the person doesn't want the kiss, he or she will let you know, but until then act as though you're a pro.
3.Angle your heads so that you don't bump noses.

Angle your heads so that you don't bump noses.
Lean in and turn your head slightly. Leaning in signals that you want to kiss the person, and turning your head prevents crushing your nose against the other person's.
4. Start slowly. Don't try to thrust your tongue in your partner's mouth right away. Simply press your lips against theirs. Close your eyes as you do so to heighten the intimacy and to avoid looking at the pores on your partner's nose.
5. Open your lips slightly. Once the kiss is accepted, try opening your lips slightly. If the other person follows suit, try slightly varying the openness of your lips (both more and less open) throughout the kiss. You may wish to explore the person's lips and tongue a bit with the tip of your tongue. There are no rules; just try to make your motions smooth.
6. Consider the French Kiss. As the kiss progresses, you may want to try French kissing, in which you insert your tongue deep into your partner's mouth and let it dance with your partner's tongue.
7.

Try some necking. If things are going well, consider spicing it up a bit by moving your head down to kiss and lightly nibble your partner's neck.
8. Keep your arms busy. You seldom, maybe never, see a great kiss in which the participants just let their arms dangle at their sides. At the very least, embrace your partner and gently pull him or her to you. You can also run your hands through your partner's hair; or caress his or her back, sides, or other parts of the body. Where you put your hands should be determined by the status of your relationship, your desires, and your partner's signals, whether spoken or communicated non-verbally.


Tips

* Avoid breath-killing foods, such as garlic and onions, if you plan on kissing someone.
* Some people, especially those who have been in a relationship for a while, find that keeping one's eyes open during a kiss can produce an intense experience of closeness for both partners.
* Try not to bump teeth or bite the person during the kiss. If this happens incidentally, however, don't worry about it.
* If you want to show a mark of your affection, consider giving or receiving a hickey or love bite. A hickey is a red or purple mark caused by sucking on the skin. Some people like them, but they can be painful, and they don't go away quickly, so be sure to discuss this with your partner before trying to give him or her one.


Warnings

* If your attempt to steal a kiss is rebuffed, respect the person's wishes, and back off immediately. If at any point your partner seems uncomfortable with anything you're doing, stop doing it.
* If you feel uncomfortable with anything your partner is doing, or if you don't want to kiss someone, let that person know. Be polite, but be firm. If politeness doesn't work, just be firm.

How to Hint for a Kiss

How to hint that you would like to be kissed.
Steps

1. Start by looking down. Then, without words, hold your boyfriend's gaze for a few seconds with a demure smile. Then, look away.
2. Put your arms around his neck, like you're trying to hug him.
3. Gently tickle the back of his neck while looking into his eyes.
4. Snuggle your face into his neck, barely kiss his cheek.
5. Slowly move your lips towards him, kiss him.
6. Be kissed.
7. Move away slowly.


Tips

* When leaving the kiss go slowly, or it will be unromantic.
* Biting your bottom lip is also another way.
* Pretend to shake like your cold to get your boyfriend closer, and if asks if you're cold just say you're nervous. Guys like that.


Warnings

* Don't be too heart-broken if and when you aren't kissed. It happens, but don't force yourself into a kiss that your partner doesn't want.

How to Kiss a Girl

Don't know exactly what a girl wants? Then find out here!
Steps

1. Set a romantic mood. For example, it's probably not a good time to kiss that girl when you're watching a movie where someone is being killed.
2. Stare into her eyes and move gently closer to her.
3. Put your hand on her cheek and start off with a gentle and slow kiss.
4. Move your hand down slowly to her stomach area and use the other hand to stroke her hair or neck. Then move your hands gently up and down, only a couple of centimeters
5. Start to lie down if you want to go into a more comfortable position, but don't end up putting your entire body weight onto her.
6. Stroke her cheek and move in gently for a soft and gentle kiss.
7. Put your hand on her waist and move it up and down gently a couple of centimeters.
8. It´s often useful to get closer to her so you can feel her body: For example when you lie close to her in a bed. But be careful: In this position it might happen that you forget about anything else and kiss her without thinking before doing it. This sounds very strange but it´s true. You can do nothing against it.


Tips

* Kissing during an on screen kiss during a movie can sometimes be a cheesy idea. Try doing it when you feel most in love.
* It is probably best done in a private place, so that you two feel more comfortable.
* Offering to do it in a bed may make people uncomfortable, and they may feel pressured.
* You can put on some music to set the mood.
* You could try candles, but they can be sometimes a little dangerous.
* Discussing what you and your partner like and dislike helps a lot when heading towards kissing.
* Make sure your breath smells alright -- use mints or gum if you need to. (Note: sometimes the mints or gum may not be enough. In that case, try using a little peroxide before you brush -- don't forget your tongue. And make sure to floss regularly. Most of the time, these steps can eliminate the need for gum or mints.)
* If you have braces, make sure they're clean.
* Talk to her while kissing each other. Girls like it if you whisper nice things. For example you can say something like: "You're beautiful" or "I dreamed of kissing you since I saw you the first time." Practice talking while kissing: It´s important that your lips don't lose contact with hers while talking.


Warnings

* If your girlfriend is tired or not in the passionate mood, don't start the whole heavy breathing kissing thing because she may think you are a lust hungry freak.
* Think before you kiss on a first date
* Remember, friendship first, then love. But be careful to not get stuck in the "Friend's Box" where she doesn't know that you "like her".
* Don't lower your hands too far down if she's not comfortable with it.
* Don't try to go in for a French kiss too quickly- sometimes this can startle a girl and make her feel pressured. PLEASE wait until after the third date!
* Don´t start taking her clothes off: Shy girls may think that you want more than only kissing...
* If she pulls away or wants to stop, DO NOT go for more. It makes her uncomfortable and thats bad.

How to Kiss a Boy

Be bold. Most boys like it very much when a girl takes charge. You should make the first few moves, but make sure he is comfortable with them and with you. Just make sure you're ready for this.
Steps

1. Chat the boy up. Establish a sense of trust between the two of you, perhaps by telling him a secret about you that no one else knows, or just by talking nicely to him.
2. Flirt. Smile a lot, touch your hair, do whatever you think will let him know that you're interested and are happy around him. Hopefully, it will make him more comfortable and want to be around you more often.
3. Break the touch barrier. The first step towards kissing is touching. Make any excuse to touch his arm, his hands, or his face. A lot of guys love holding hands. Hugging is encouraged!
4. Find the right moment. This is something you will feel when you know it's right. Often times this is after a nice evening and it is winding down.
5. Start slow. If he's too shy to make the first move, give him a peck on the cheek and slowly work your way to the lips when you feel the time is right.
6. Afterwards, say nothing and wait for the reaction. If he is surprised (or terrified) take no enemies, and kiss him again. If he is pleased, ditto. If he is angry, then abort the situation- no one would like someone to keep on trying to kiss that person if they're uncomfortable. You should be mature enough to step back. Otherwise, move on to the next step.
7. Pull back and look down, then look into his eyes. If he liked the kiss you'll most likely kiss again.


Tips

* The first few times that you kiss him make sure that it's not in front of a whole bunch of people--especially people that you or he knows. A lot of boys are uncomfortable kissing in front of other people, yet enjoy it in private. Secluded areas are an excellent place to make your move!
* Wear clear lip gloss over a lipstick, but don't be constantly putting it on.
* Don't smoke, and avoid alcoholic drinks. Brush your teeth regularly. Always carry a breath freshener (chewing gum, mints, whatever).
* Don't make a mess out of it. Not the first kiss. It may be unpleasant for some people.
* Make yourself available, but don't attack him. Let him know that you're ready but allow him to go in for the kill.
* Most guys want to kiss you. If you think he wants to kiss you, but just is too shy, go ahead and move in.


Warnings

* Make sure that if all you want to give is a kiss, you make clear that is all you are going to give. Be in control. Set your limits. Think.
* Accept rejection. If you are more mature about it, they may start to like you and change their mind.

How to French Kiss

You have seen it done often in the movies and probably on the street in darkened corners. The French kiss is a timeless and passionate gesture of romantic affection. Whether you live in Paris, France or Paris, Texas, you can learn how to kiss like the French do without an embarrassing faux pas!


Steps

1. Moisten your lips. Dry lips do not move well together. Just a light brush of your tongue over your lips will be sufficient to moisten them.
2. Angle your head. If your mouths meet dead-on, your noses will get in the way, and you will not be able to kiss deeply or smoothly. To avoid this, tilt your head slightly to one side. Make sure you do not both tilt your heads to the same side.
3. Close your eyes. As you approach for the kiss, look into your partner's eyes, but, once you are close to theirs, close your eyes. It can be a bit of a turnoff to be kissing and going cross-eyed .
4. Start with a gentle and soft closed-mouth kiss. The French kiss is an open-mouth kiss, but do not lunge in with your lips agape like you're going to eat them; instead, open your lips very slowly. If you were learning to speak French, you would probably start with the basics, vocabulary and grammar, before trying to write poetry. Well, the French kiss is like the poetry of kissing, and before you can be good at it, you have to master the closed-mouth kiss. Even after you have added French kissing to your romantic repertoire, it is usually better to start a kiss with closed lips.
5. Go Dutch on the decision to French. Kissing should be a shared decision. You need to have permission to French kiss someone, but when your lips are locked with their's you may not want to stop and ask, "Hey, this is great, but can I put my tongue in your mouth?" Open your lips slowly and just a little during the kiss so that one of your lips is sandwiched between theirs and one of theirs is between yours. As you are locking and re-locking lips, brush your tongue against your partner's lips ever so slightly. This should make it clear that you want to French kiss. If your partner's tongue does not respond in like fashion or if they pull away, you will have to save the French kiss for another time when you are both ready.
6. Explore with your tongue. If you and your partner seem to be enjoying the open-mouth kiss, slowly try to open your mouth a little bit more and gently push your tongue a little farther into their mouth. The tongue is very sensitive, and the mere act of touching your partner's tongue with your own will be very pleasant and stimulating for each of you. Do not stick your tongue too far into the mouth, as this can be a big turn-off. Instead, just gently and playfully touch tongues.
7. Go Slow. Passionate kisses are good sometimes, but to really enjoy a French kiss, you must take it slow. Do not hurry and take time to explore each other's mouths.
8. Mix it up. Kisses are like snowflakes: no two are exactly the same. Once you finally feel comfortable French kissing someone, it is tempting to try to do the same thing every time. Add variety. Sometimes kiss deeper, for example, and other times pay more attention to the lips than the tongue. Hold the kiss longer or shorter and explore the art of kissing. When something feels good for each of you, do not abandon it for the sake of variety.
9. Read Body Language. Everybody kisses a little differently, and each person enjoys different things in a kiss - there is no "right" way to kiss. What separates good kissers from bad is an ability to read a partner's body language and be responsive to their partner. Of course if your partner pulls away or seems uncomfortable at any time, understand that you have to slow it down. Listen for cues that tell how much your partner is enjoying a particular kissing maneuver. If you hear a sigh or moan, or they begin kissing you back with increased intensity, realize that they are responding with fervor.
10. Develop your style. Good French kissing, like good kissing of any kind, requires practice. You will get better as you do it more. In addition, the more practice you have with one person, the more comfortable you will feel kissing them and developing a style that suits both of you.


Tips

*Breathe! Forgetting to breathe is probably the most common French kissing error. Do not hold your breath--everybody needs to breathe, and it is a lot more awkward when you have to pull away gasping for air than if you're breathing normally. Breathe through your nose, and try to keep a normal rhythm. As you and your partner grow comfortable with the kiss, you can try breathing through your mouth a little: sharing breaths as well can be romantic (but not everybody likes it).
*Freshen your breath. You never want to have bad breath when you are about to kiss someone, whether the kiss is a French kiss or not. Because your mouth will be open in a French kiss, fresh breath is especially important. Practice good dental hygiene. Carry mints with you if you think there is even so much as a hint of a chance you might kiss. Avoid foods that leave an unpleasant aftertaste or residue, particularly garlic, onions, milk, and corn.
*Teeth are a sensitive subject. You definitely do not want to bump teeth with each other. It is not only awkward, but can hurt as well. It might inevitably happen at times, so do not worry when it does. You may want to try rubbing the backs or fronts of the teeth of the other person with your tongue. This can create a ticklish feeling that might enhance your kiss. Not everyone enjoys having someones tongue rubbing on their teeth, and many do not like to touch teeth with their tongue.
*Not everybody likes to be kissed the same way, so while your former partner might have enjoyed one method of kissing, your new love might not. You need to learn to read signals and adapt to a style that's comfortable for each each of you. This works in reverse, too. Just because someone doesn't kiss you like you are used to does not mean they are a bad kisser. As long as you are not uncomfortable with the kiss, try to be open-minded, as you just might like the new style.
*Be an active partner. If someone is French kissing you and you want them to do so, do not just sit there but get into the kiss. Reciprocate their actions, and alternate taking the lead on the movements of your tongues and lips. If you are uncomfortable with any part of the kiss, do not be afraid to pull away or gently close your lips. This will give your your partner the hint.
*There are no rules for how long you should hold a kiss. If you feel uncomfortable at any time, break the kiss; otherwise, just enjoy it until one or both of you slowly pull apart, usually together. It is extremely romantic to lightly suck your partner's upper or bottom lip as you part. You might find yourselves returning to kissing, after each of you takes a breath.
*Use your hands. Your hands are important to kissing, and you should use them to make the kiss more romantic. Gently hold your partner's face with your hands on their cheeks and their neck, or wrap your arms around your partner in an embrace. The most important thing about using your hands is that you respect your partner's boundaries. Play with their ears or run your fingers through their hair, as this is very stimulating. The second most important thing (much less important than the first) is that your hands should do something. Don't just let them hang at your sides; it will seem like you're not into the kiss, and you'll look like an ape.
*Talk about it. A lot of people have difficulty talking about intimacy, but open communication is important to all parts of a relationship. If you really like the way your partner kisses you, let them know. If you don't like something, also let your partner know that, but approach it delicately and compliment them at the same time on something they did that you liked. Even if the kiss goes all wrong, it can still be an intimate affair if you can both laugh about it together!


Warnings

* To some people a hard tongue is a turn-off. Keep tongue and lips soft and supple...think of the pressure used to lick a soft servie ice cream cone, no probing with a stiff tongue unless the other enjoys it. Use variations too to mix it up. Now go practice!
* You can still French kiss if one or both of you has braces, but you should be careful to prevent the braces from touching each other. Also avoid touching the braces with your tongue (you could cut your tongue).
* Excessive saliva can build up during a French kiss, and that can interfere with the romantic moment. Swallow periodically without breaking the kiss. If you have trouble doing that, do not be afraid to pull away for a moment.
* If you ever feel uncomfortable or do not want to move forward with any move your partner is attempting, pull away and let your partner know that you want to stop. Be firm. It's OK to say no.