You must remember this: a kiss isn’t just a kiss
Wendy Hill, a psychology professor at Lafayette College, is interested in kissing—the science of it, that is. Her research found that kissing (of the romantic variety) has a measurable effect on certain hormones:
[Hill’s team] found that kissing reduced the levels of cortisol, a stress hormone, in both sexes. But levels of oxytocin, a hormone linked to social bonding that they expected to be boosted by kissing, only rose among the men.
For women, a romantic atmosphere (dimmed lights, mood music) helped raised their oxytocin to the level of the men’s. Ah, women. So very demanding! Especially on Valentines Day—which happens to be today, folks.
And then there’s chocolate:
In 2007 British scientists measured the brain and heart activity sparked by passionate kissing, but found it was less intense that the stimulation produced by eating chocolate.
Speaking of mood music, and kissing:
[ADDENDUM: The recession is romantic—who knew? And kissing is even more widespread than one might think; it’s practiced by 90% of societies.]
OK, got it: chocolate, dimmed lights, mood music…maybe a little champagne. Take no chances.
Is that a promise?
The recession is romantic–who knew?
Very romantic for few …..
The Kindness of Strangers
Your kissing link seems to be incorrect. The working link is:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/scienceandtechnology/science/sciencenews/4611149/AAAS-First-kiss-is-screening-process-for-potential-mates.html
Also, your comment counter seems to have stopped working.
Lorenzo: I changed the link to the one you provided because I could see you were correct that my original link wasn’t working. But it’s not the same article—I linked to a different one that seems to have disappeared. Odd.
The comment counter seems to be working for me.
“levels of oxytocin, a hormone linked to social bonding that they expected to be boosted by kissing, only rose among the men”…but I’ve read that oxytocin is boosted A LOT for women in/after intercourse. (And yeah, this feels like it is right)
Why would it go up more for MEN with kissing and more for WOMEN with actual sex? Any theories?
The comment counter is now working for me too!
Re Casablanca: They don’t make them like they used to.
As well as being (arguably) the greatest actress of her day, she was beautiful, wasn’t she?
Jennifer, one theory: sex for men has less emotional significance and is readily available through prostitution and is therefore more of a commodity (“but honey, it was only sex, it didn’t mean anything”). Kissing is not as readily available through prostitution and often prohibited. The man therefore feels kissing is more of an indication of a woman’s genuine interest in him. Also, since it is the woman who has final say as to actual sex, a kiss represents the first important step for a man. Again, just one theory.
Yes, she is very beautiful with a depth rarely seen today. The “leading ladies” of that era have always struck me as more glamorous and mysterious than today’s stars. Maybe it’s the black and white and soft lighting that sets the mood. Given the very real difficulties of the period (Depression, war), the movies tried to provide a glamorous escape.
And now you know why I give my women friends chocolate and not kisses…
I go for the bags of peanut butter M&M’s. I just hope that peanut butter is salmonella-free…yikes!
Yes
A Kiss is just a kiss
A sigh is just a sigh
The fundamental things apply
As time goes by.
Ah yes, the eternal mystery: how do you interest a woman? Listen to her. Bring small presents. Stroke her hair. Remember compliments. Pay attention to atmosphere. Ask about her day…
How, on the other hand do you interest a man? Show up naked. Bring food.
I am only now old enough to realize that Ilse really loved Victor Laszlo far more than she ever loved Richard Blaine, and that Victor was the better man: principled, courageous, compassionate. This is difficult for me. When I was in college, I always identified with Monsieur Rick. Therein lies part of the greatness of the film.