As long as both parties agree and set parameters, experts say kissing or showing other displays of affection with friends is all right – and the decision remains up to the respective parties alone.
Shaw agrees with this sentiment, believing that for many, “platonic kissing is a way of showing warmth, affection and that the person means more to you than a handshake or verbal acknowledgment would signal.”
Just because the practice of platonic kissing isn't familiar to you doesn't mean it's not common elsewhere. "Platonic lip kissing is found in cultures around the world, between friends, family, and sometimes even strangers as a means of greeting," says Allison Moon, author of "Girl Sex 101."
In many cultures, kissing on lips is not considered sexual, and is accepted as a platonic means of showing affection. Research also suggests that intimacy between parents and children – hugging, tickling or kissing a child – has a positive effect on the child's development.
It can simply be an expression of the care that you have for each other, and it can take any form that is consensual and desired by each person. Opening up your friendship to include more hugs, hand-holding, kisses, cuddling, and more can bring in a level of connection and vulnerability that is completely new.
As a general rule of thumb, if you don't feel you can trust the other person, then don't invite them to cuddle. Cuddling can be a very intimate way of connecting, and it doesn't make much sense to step into a situation where there's low trust to begin with.
Hugs can be shared between friends, partners, and family members. A hug is a universal sign of affection and compassion. Share a Hug Day 2023 is an opportunity to recognize and celebrate the value of hugging and sharing compassion and care for each other.
As the French term indicates, this kind of kiss has a sexual connotation — you wouldn't French kiss a purely platonic friend (though you would French kiss a friend with benefits).
Yes, some people can. Some people can do much more than making out with each other and just be friends. Some people could even have feelings for each other, and just be friends. Successful committed relationships require more than just feelings and physical intimacy.
A kiss might seem like a natural thing to do for most of us, but the scientific jury is still out on whether it is a learned or instinctual behaviour. Approximately 90 per cent of cultures kiss, making a strong case for the act being a basic human instinct.
A platonic kiss is a non-romantic kiss that is typically exchanged between friends or acquaintances as a greeting or a gesture of affection. It can be on the cheek, forehead, or even the hand. The intention behind a platonic kiss is to express feelings of friendship or goodwill, rather than romantic or sexual interest.
Do friends become romantic partners in real life? The answer is yes! In our research, conducted at the University of Manitoba, University of Waterloo, and the University of Victoria, we found that not only are romantic couples platonic friends before they become romantically involved, this path to romance is common.
It is safe and convenient. People who have had sex with best friend swear that this is the best way if you want to feel safe and convenient at the same time. If both of you are open with each other about your sex history, you can have safe sex. There will be no room for risks and a hook up without protection.
My bestfriend and I kissed a lot of times, we are both girls, we kissed lips to lips and we always both enjoy it. We love each other so much and we are like couples but we are not lesbians. Is that normal? Based on my experiences and those of friends who've shared theirs, it's not only normal but very common.
Cheek kissing between women is also very common, but it is also very rare for women who are introduced for the first time. A man and a woman could cheek kiss each other for greeting without sexual connotations only if they are good friends or depending on the circle, the setting, and the location like in big cities.
Psychologically, kissing someone you want to kiss will generally encourage feelings of attachment and affection. If you're kissing someone you don't like, or you're kissed against your will, your psychological response will be completely different.
You get all giddy.
A rush of dopamine, oxytocin, and serotonin hits your system the moment your lips lock. With this positive cocktail and a heart-fluttering kiss, you'll feel like you're on cloud nine! Lips are one of your body's most sensually sensitive areas.
The blowing of a kiss or the mouthing of one is a provocative form of flirtation that can be considered teasing and fun. Tip: The blowing of a kiss is a latent flirt that you should hold until you have their interest and want to encourage them to pursue that interest further.
So the actors kiss, but their characters, Monica and Joey, never "actually" do. Chandler, Phoebe, Rachel and Ross kiss everyone else at one time or another, although Ross and his sister, Monica, never kiss on screen.
For instance, a neck kiss might mean your partner is in the mood and turned on but also that there's a level of depth and passion between you two. On the contrary, a kiss on the cheek might be a more platonic kind of kiss, which your partner may use as a conservative gesture when in public.
You should not kiss your best friend. No, things don't seem to be more than best friends between you two. You can kiss your best friend as a friend if you want, but the bond between you two doesn't seem to be romantic yet.
Hugging Friends
Use your instincts, but the best rule of thumb is that if you're offered a hug, go for it. If you want to initiate a hug, don't think too much about it, but pull back if your friend steps back.
The flirty hug
According to the experts, this is how you give a flirty hug – “Wrap your arms around your partner's neck, lean your head on his chest, or hug her with one arm and draw her close.” A flirty hug may also entail stroking a person's arms, a tight back hug, or nuzzling their neck when leaning in.
Cuddling and getting cozy typically indicates that a partner feels more comfortable being intimate and close with you. Some couples enjoy cuddling at night before they sleep or after they make love. Cuddling could also indicate they have deep feelings for you and want to be near you.
Some scientists even suggest that men who like being the little spoon make better partners. Steve McKeown, a psychoanalyst and founder of The McKeown Clinic, said to Unilad: “Men that prefer to be the little spoon are more likely to be submissive, sensitive, pleasing and in touch with their feminine side.