Pucker up

In celebration of International Kissing Day (July 6), Zoosk a romantic social networking site conducted a kissing survey; heres what they found!
Men

IN MINUTES

News and events visually

The origin of the kiss dates back to the Stone Age
By tasting a womans saliva, a cave man could supposedly tell if she was healthy (or not), and therefore whether she was a strong and fertile mate (or not)!

Kissing tips:
From dating and relationship expert Shannon Tebb:

Canadas favourite kisses

Women

88%
of Canadians wish their partner would kiss them more
they initiate kissing in 76% of men saytheir relationship say they 55% of womendo

Sensual kiss on the lips

The term French kiss most likely came from the early 20th century, when the French had a reputation for being more adventurous and passionate

46% 43% 42% 44% A closer look at the lips

Philtral ridge
Borders central groove (philtrum) between nose and mouth; pronounced philtrum usually results in Cupids bow shape

Its best to move in slowly and make sure your partner is aware you are coming Tilt your head slightly to avoid bumping noses and close your eyes Start o slowly, and then build up to a faster pace if desired Always have fresh breath Moisten your lips regularly, but ladies dont kiss too soon after applying gloss or lip stick Use your hands and arms to caress your partners face or hair while kissing or to embrace

Vermilion border

Rim of paler skin separating vermilion from surrounding skin

French kiss

93%
of Canadians say they dont mind kissing in public

Quick peck on the lips

5% 5% 4% 6% 1% 1% 2% 1%

Top 5 kissing turn-o s

1 2 3 4 5 Bad breath Too much tongue Too wet Too short Biting

300
Average number of colonies of bacteria you are sharing when you kiss

Upper lip Philtrum

Vermilion

Red part of lips

Mentolabial sulcus

61% prefer moderate 51% of women PDA only

of men have no problem with any PDA

Kiss on the neck

2 weeks
Time the average person will spend kissing in their lifetime

Percentage of people who kiss on the rst date

Australia Canada U.S. Sweden

Line separating lower lip from chin

Oral commissure
Corner of mouth where lips border facial skin

Kiss on the earlobe

of Canadians think a kiss hello is most important in a relationship

43%

57%

nd the goodbye kiss the most important

An air kiss

of Canadians dont usually will typically kiss kiss on a on a rst date rst date

54% 46%

Italy Denmark France Germany

58% Average age for the rst romantic 54% Record for the kiss longest kiss, set 52% in Italy on Feb. 14, 2004 68 5% 47% 911 10% 42% from 31% 37% Peopledo not 1214 Nepal kiss at all 1517 35% 32% The mouth and saliva are 18+ 20% 29% considered dirty

31hr, 18m

Sources: Zoosk.com Canadian Kissing Report; Photo supplied by Zoosk.com; elementsofmorphology.nih.gov; shapeyourface.com; medilexicon.com; Wikipedia

SUSAN BATSFORD, GRAPHICS EDITOR, TWITTER @SBATS1; INFOGRAPHIC BY MEGAN DINNER/QMI AGENCY