A first kiss speaks a thousand words…or more like a million. And new research confirms what we all know anyway – a bad kiss means there probably won’t be a second one.

A study published in Scientific Amercan found that 59% of men and 66% of women lost interest in someone after a first kiss went poorly – why? Because it just didn’t feel right meaning you’re not a good genetic match.

“The reason a kiss carries such weight is that it conveys subconscious information about the genetic compatibility of a prospective mate,” says the article. The study’s author thinks his research shows that kissing evolved as a courtship strategy because it “helps us rate potential partners.”

So take Man A and Woman B. They kiss. It’s awful for Woman B and she calls it off, listening to her gut which is telling her he wouldn’t measure up genetically. This doesn’t necessarily mean that Man B is a bad kisser, it just means the two are not physiologically compatible. Interesting. Another interesting find – for most of the men surveyed a deep kiss was a way to advance the relationship to the next level – sexually. For the women it was a way to advance the relationship – emotionally. Before I started dating again I thought I had forgotten how to kiss…so just in case you’re in the same boat here’s a refresher course. WARNING! This video has some graphic content – so if you’re at work of it the kids are around you might want to watch it later. But, please do because it’s HILARIOUS!

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/v/NFOiGsEIP30&rel=1]

Have you ever called it off because a guy is a bad kisser? I know I have. Yuck!

(photo credit: Robert Doisneau, Kiss by the Hotel de Ville,1950)

Related posts:

1. To find a prince you might have to kiss a lot of frogs.
2. The best kiss I’ve ever had…
3. The Fine Art of Dumping.

Okay this is weird. My son, is 20 months old. I guess he’s a toddler now, but I still call him a baby. Bear with me, I’m hanging on to his babyhood for as long as I can get away with it. He just learned how to kiss. The first time he pecked me on my lips. That was before I met Kris. Since then he has seen all kind of hugging, hand holding and all around sweet affections which include “adult kisses.” The day he got his first up close look at a real kiss, he was in his car seat. Kris and I were in the front seats of the car saying good bye. Good bye turned into a long and very enjoyable kiss. We like to kiss each other and after all, is it really that bad for Benjamin to see a happy couple? What’s the worst that could happen?

That night I go in for my good night Benjamin kiss. Instead of his sweet pucker, his mouth is open and he’s going for a real kiss. I don’t know how to explain it but it was clear – my baby was trying to make out with me. I immediately realize what’s going on and tell him, “no, no, like this.” I close my lips tight. He won’t have it. He wants to kiss like mommy and her boyfriend. Oh great. This is just great. You can imagine the “horrible mommy” thoughts I’m thinking.

The next day I tell Kris about it – we’re just going to have to peck in front of him, no more kissing. So from that day on, no more “adult kissing” in front of Benjamin. Kris and I make a point to pucker up and kiss like two old people. But we can’t help it and slip up a few times.

This weekend we went on our first road trip together, to my sister’s house for Thanksgiving. Benjamin and Kris were playing together and then it happened, he goes in for a kiss. I didn’t witness this but later that night Kris told me about it. “So, Benjamin tried to kiss me today and I’ve gotta say it was a little creepy. People are going to think he’s weird. What if he tries to make out with another kid at day care?” We’re both cracking up at this point. This is pretty hilarious if you think about it. “He just sees us,” says Kris, “and he wants to get in on the fun.”

So…there’s another tip for dating single moms, don’t kiss the guy in front of your little ones. Well, not when they’re at such an impressionable age. But when I stop to think about it – this is what I do want Benjamin to see and what every child should see – two people who are completely crazy about each other. But…yes, it’s definitely just a little bit creepy. Ughhhh!!! This is SO hard. How in hell am I going to do this? How am I actually going to have a boyfriend and a baby. It just seems a bit overwhelming sometimes.

Related posts:

1. The Single Mom Dating Conundrum.
2. Single Mom Dating Tips, Part 1
3. E-harmony Dating Review: for the single parent or any other dater