Whether spring, summer, autumn or winter – it’s always a good time to pucker up. Here we reveal why kissing feels so good during the colder season and what to watch out for.
Immune-boosting kiss
When the weather starts to cool down again, flu outbreaks start to return in full force. But even a mild cold can be very annoying, particularly if you blow your nose so much it becomes red and painful. Kissing is a great way to prevent illness! Practically every time you kiss someone in winter, your immune system will get a little boost. This is because when you kiss, you exchange natural messenger substances (neuropeptides), which result in a strengthened immune system. Read more ways kissing can boost your health in our article "Science of kissing".
Metal kiss
How somebody ever had the idea to lick a lamppost at sub-zero temperatures is a real mystery to us. At any rate, it’s certainly not something to try at home! This is because if your saliva freezes, your tongue can get stuck to the post. If you don’t have a portable hair dryer to hand, you’ll need to call the emergency services. As well as being pretty embarrassing, it would really hurt too.
Frozen kiss
Reportedly, one in five women prefers to kiss outdoors. However, in winter there is one thing you should bear in mind: temperatures below -31°C freeze the lips together. Luckily, in our part of the world the thermometer doesn’t usually sink that low – but if you’re planning a romantic honeymoon to Antarctica, don’t say we didn’t warn you!
Codfish kiss
Here’s a bizarre tradition that won’t fail to make you smile: In the Canadian province of Newfoundland newcomers are encouraged to kiss the native codfish on the mouth! Before the fishy smooch, they are allowed to disinfect by enjoying a shot of high-proof rum. The more faint-hearted can lock lips with a wooden or rubber codfish model instead.
Beak kiss
Kissing penguins are delightful to watch. However, there are unlikely to be romantic reasons behind this interaction. After all, penguins’ beaks are primarily functional and used by penguins to clean each other's plumage or feed their offspring from beak to beak – delicious pre-chewed fish makes you big and strong!
