I Like To Kiss

I like to kiss. It comes naturally for me to kiss (and hug) someone hello and goodbye. I grew up in a very affectionate Italian household and was even taught at a young age that it would be bad news if I didn’t go kiss my aunts and uncles hello.

So, it feels completely normal to continue with this habit in the salsa scene, since salseros have also embraced the custom. I’m talking about the kiss on each cheek when you see your friend. I don’t like the one-cheek kiss, which feels so unfinished. For me, a one-cheek kiss feels like the music stopped midway through a cross-body lead, so it has to be two kisses! Left to right or right to left, I don’t really have a preference, but I don’t like the air kiss – you know the kind – with the fake muah muah sounds. A little smooch sound is cute and expected, but it’s a dead giveaway that someone’s going through the motions when it sounds like a cartoon.

That’s why it’s best to give the kiss greeting because you want to, not because everyone else is doing it. If it’s not in your personality to give that type of hello, for the love of salsa, please don’t fake it! Give a wave, a playful punch on the arm, stick your tongue out and make a funny face – anything other than a fake kiss hello.

But I’ll admit, I’ve faked it.

Sometimes, I show up somewhere and it feels like I’m caught in a receiving line at a wedding – because I know everybody there and then I have to make my way through the people to give a “proper” hello. (That damn Italian upbringing. Ha-ha!)

Even thought I like to give a kiss hello to my friends, not everyone I know is comfortable with that much affection, so I don’t get offended. I just give ‘em my biggest smile. But these are the same guys who like to dirty bachata with me, so who knows what the rules are anymore!



 ELAINE: What is the big deal about putting your lips on somebody's face?

           JERRY: It's the obligation, you know? As soon as this person comes in, you know you have to  do this. I mean, if you could, say, touch a breast as part of the kiss hello, then I think I could see the value in it a little better.