No_Strings
Expert Member
Around one or two months ago I kissed a man who wasn't my father for the first time in my life.
When I was very young (on the border of my conscious memory) when I saw my father, we would do the 'peck-and-touch-cheeks' kind of kiss when he would leave - much to the mortification of my yet barely-formed masculine side.
My partner and I were visiting friends for the weekend and upon arrival the simultaneous 'hi', 'how are you?' and 'nice to see you again' occured.
Afterwards the more intimate greetings followed and myself and said friend moved in for a hug(that alone was a recently new experience for me) and he pursed his lips slightly, leant forwards and I recipricated. We ended up doing the whole 'peck on the cheek' thing.
I didn't hesitate or withdraw and it never occured to me not to follow suit. In truth, I didn't even realise what I'd done until a few minutes afterwards and things had settled down a little. It didn't bother me in the slightest. It didn't feel odd, strange or uncomfortable in any way - for me, I think the comfort (or lack thereof) in doing such a thing is largely dependent on the atmosphere and situation in which it takes place.
When leaving our friend's house, I was very tired and actually didn't notice the 'kiss-goodbye' gesture until it was too late. I did feel a little foolish but know that he would understand.
Up until five months ago the only way I had ever greeted another man was by handshake.
When I was very young (on the border of my conscious memory) when I saw my father, we would do the 'peck-and-touch-cheeks' kind of kiss when he would leave - much to the mortification of my yet barely-formed masculine side.
My partner and I were visiting friends for the weekend and upon arrival the simultaneous 'hi', 'how are you?' and 'nice to see you again' occured.
Afterwards the more intimate greetings followed and myself and said friend moved in for a hug(that alone was a recently new experience for me) and he pursed his lips slightly, leant forwards and I recipricated. We ended up doing the whole 'peck on the cheek' thing.
I didn't hesitate or withdraw and it never occured to me not to follow suit. In truth, I didn't even realise what I'd done until a few minutes afterwards and things had settled down a little. It didn't bother me in the slightest. It didn't feel odd, strange or uncomfortable in any way - for me, I think the comfort (or lack thereof) in doing such a thing is largely dependent on the atmosphere and situation in which it takes place.
When leaving our friend's house, I was very tired and actually didn't notice the 'kiss-goodbye' gesture until it was too late. I did feel a little foolish but know that he would understand.
Up until five months ago the only way I had ever greeted another man was by handshake.