Pucker up

Today is International Kissing Day? Why not. In honor of the event, here are some kissy facts from Sheril Kirshenbaum, author of The Science of Kissing :

• Kissing is found in at least 90 percent of the world's cultures.
• Even in societies where kissing isn't common, people use kiss-like behaviors (like licking or nibbling or sniffing each other -- don't laugh) to show affection.
• Human lips appear made for kissing -- they purse outward, unlike any other species.
• Still, other spiecies kiss -- great apes, for example, press their lips together when they're excited, feeling lovey, or trying to make up after a spat.
• The romantic notion of "chemistry" is a real thing: Chemical exchanges during kissing can help couples determine whether they are a good match.
• Holding hands and kissing lowers blood pressure and gives your immune system a boost.
• Sharing germs (ie: Cooties) through kissing boosts your immunity, too. ?There are about 100,000,000 bacteria in just one milileter of saliva.
• Scientists aren't sure if we've got an instinct to lock lips or if our kissy faces evolved over time. It's likely that we kiss for a number of different reasons.

So whatever your reason, grab your significant other today and plant a big one on them.