Kiss and Tell

Greetings in Rwanda are warm and lingering.  Men in Rwanda, for example, have a custom of gently letting temples touch, first left, then right, then left, when they first see each other.  Women and children extend not just a hand but their whole arm for the other to clasp for as long as a minute before letting go.  It's not uncommon to see two people draped around each other, simply as a way of saying hello.  Still, for all the endless displays of cozy affection, kissing each other--even on the cheek--really isn't very common, and kissing with a big smoochy, smacking sound?  Never.

All cross-cultural correctness taken into account, I still couldn't bring myself to get with the no kissing program.  The babies were too delicious.  The children were too sweet.  The old people were just too loveable for me to keep those kisses to myself.

Thankfully, this unheard of practice of covering someone's cheeks or face in loud smoochy kisses was met with laughter and much delight.  I think everyone was glad I didn't hold back----those old ladies most especially.  What can possibly make you feel more loved than a spontaneous smack delivered with enthusiasm and so much love?

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Do you have any kissing pictures that make your heart take a little leap?  A little moment there of unbridled affection?  Show us your kisses.  We promise not to tell.

Comments

[djbeat]

i loved this about africa - about the people - watching two men happily greet each other in the market then walk arm in arm or hand in hand as they talked. such a nice departure from a country & city where people hardly meet each other's eyes.

[Marcie]

Love that they display their affection so openly. I have no 'people' kisses..but thought I'd share a doggie one:
http://www.marciescudderphotography.com/index.php?showimage=895

[Puna]

Thank you for the wonderful cultural experience.

[gonzomama]

i have so been enjoying your pictures and stories from this adventure. you have been very inspiring.

some of my favorite capture kisses

http://www.flickr.com/photos/59735955@N00/3132618496/in/set-72157608188704085/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/59735955@N00/3951300504/in/set-72157608188704085/

[littlepurplecow (Stephanie Roberts)]

Jen, so love this image and your words. Makes me miss that sweet little lady. Alas, no kisses in my image collection... but thanks for highlighting a hole in my quest to document human connections.

[kristin]

love this post. i can imagine how they touch. so wonderful

and yes kisses rule.
i try very very hard to instill unbridled affection in my kids. PDA encouraged in this house! i think my little boy is the biggest lover i know. and i love that.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/14811117@N02/2658676886/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/14811117@N02/2880494577/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/14811117@N02/2962492453/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/14811117@N02/3691744023/

[Michelle]

I love all your pictures and stories of Africa. That has always been a dream of mine to travel the world and photograph it.

http://binkley-photography.blogspot.com/2009/09/shutter-sisters-kiss-and-tell.html
I love this picture of my nephews sharing the love.

[Elizabeth Harper]

I'm a big kisser too! Here's a favorite of mine...


http://giftsofthejourney.wordpress.com/2009/09/14/22-years-ago-a-baby-girl/


Loved your post today....I could see and feel every part of it.

[Liz//Tipping Point Photo]

This image totally softens my heart.

People smooch (2nd anniversary dinner):
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tippingpointphoto/3644774762/in/set-72157618565205391/

"First" smooches:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tippingpointphoto/3282761073/in/set-72157613849143353/

And a pooch smooch! Though usually she's on the giving end of the kisses..... :o)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tippingpointphoto/3644797276/in/set-72157618565205391/

[Julie Alvarez]

Kissing and telling!
We are big time kissers here in Argentina.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/juliealvarez/3118898395/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/juliealvarez/3930872208/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/juliealvarez/2585047227/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/juliealvarez/3183188029/

[Martha]

Absolutely!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/14756941@N08/3845955110/
Gotta love kisses!
OXO

[Vanessa]

oh what a beautiful post. and the picture... so gorgeous!
i wanted to share this pic of my 5yo son and my 3yo niece. this is what happened one summer's afternoon under a cherry tree when it occurred to me to say "hey guys, give each other a kiss"... http://www.flickr.com/photos/vanessa_r/3968923779/

[kosenrufu mama]

here my special kiss
http://esterdaphne.blogspot.com/2009/05/festa-festa-festa.html

[keli_h]

we are big smoochers in our house ... luckily, e fits right in!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/twelve-paws/3969645233/

[Maria]

I love kisses. Here is a photo of my and my sweetie back in 2003. It remains one of my favorite photos of us. XO.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mahreeuh/3970524198/

[Ashley Wright]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/43117030@N06/3970899063/

One of my favorite kisses :-) It was shared sitting on a quaint dock nestled into a cove on a lake in Northern Michigan.

[BK]

loved it! Your words went straight to my heart. :)

There's something different in your voice Jen!

love, BK

[Krystyn (Squaregirl)]

Last night, my fella and I went out to a Brookyn Singles Meetup to support a friend who organized the event. About 600 people came, and there was *lots* of kissing going on, including a "makeout booth".

It was uber fun, and felt like our first days of dating all over again.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/squaregirl/3972614152/sizes/o/

[Serge]

Absolutely A+++
Thank you!

[staci]

When I read about the kiss this 5 year old picture came to mind immediately. Time flies so quickly but there is always a kiss that brings back memories.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/35504044@N04/3973558812/

[Chloe]

This is a wonderful post, all of these have been a beautiful way to finish the day. I can't figure out how to upload my a picture of my love and I, I promise that it's sweet as hell. Thank you, again.

[miruspeg]

I also love all your pictures and stories about Rwanda. I have alot of great memories from there as well.

Here is a photo of my cats kissing.

http://s410.photobucket.com/albums/pp189/miruspeg/

[Nina]

When my 6 year old gives me his "gentle kisses" I have to wonder...the sweetest gentlest sensual kiss on the cheek...someday he will make someone (besides his mama) very happy

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