This is What Different Kinds of Kisses Say About Your Relationship

​First things first, kissing is the absolute best. Unless it's not. For example, when your kissing partner tries to drown you in his saliva, maybe it's time for a talk? But, you know, it's mainly the best.

Over at LittleThings.com, they consulted with kissing expert Sheril Kirshenbaum, author of the book The Science of Kissing: What Our Lips Are Telling Us, to explore what different types of kisses mean in relationships. ​"Kissing is so important to long-term bonds. It helps maintain a relationship,"​ she says.

Here's some kisses, finally explained.

First up, The Cheek Kiss:

The Cheek Kiss is a kiss that is all about conveying that you like someone. Rather than dive right in at the mouth, one person lays a gentle kiss right on the other's cheek.This kiss is about friendship and affection. The person planting the kiss may have romantic feelings for the receiver, but this moment isn't about that romance. This is about a true fondness, conveying the message that "I like you."A kiss on the cheek that comes years into a relationship may just indicate that the all-important friendship still exists underneath it all.

And then there's the Sloppy Kiss (which, surprise, men like more):

The Sloppy Kiss is one that is all about sexual energy. Each person abandons any rhyme or reason and simply lets the fluids fly with this open mouth kiss. Author Sheril Kirshenbaum writes, "Men tend to express a preference for wet, sloppy, open-mouthed kisses." But that's not to say women won't enjoy them as well.This kiss shows that the typical order of a relationship is secondary to the physical aspect of the relationship. One shouldn't be surprised if this kiss quickly leads to the bedroom.

And what about the sweetness that is the Butterfly Kiss?

The Butterfly Kiss is one that doesn't involve the lips at all. Two people put their eyes as close together as possible and flutter their eyelids against one another's.This kiss is all about young love. Very rarely will you see more mature or experienced relationships utilizing this type of kiss to express their love. This kiss shows an excitement and newness about things that will likely evolve into other, more stable kissing types.

You can see the rest of the kissing styles over at LittleThings.com. Memorize them and then maybe practice tonight with someone cute? Or your pillow. Whatevs. 

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