Hapless Brits Urged To Put The Kissing Back Into Christmas

03 December 2008

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With one in four (23%) Brits believing that the best way to add a bit of magic to Christmas is to share a soft peck, Galaxy is calling on the nation to recapture the true spirit of the season and get under the mistletoe for a cost-effective treat.

The research, commissioned by Galaxy Mistletoe KissesR, reveals some Christmas traditions are rapidly declining and that a Mistletoe kissing 'drought' is sweeping across the UK. Half (47%) of the UK public has not kissed under the mistletoe for over two years, with one in four (26%) lonely souls admitting they have never ever been kissed under the mistletoe. Over three quarters (79%) of those aged over 45 have shared a Mistletoe Kiss, but less than half (43%) of 16-24 year olds have.

The problem is that when it comes to kissing, bumbling Brits just can't get it right. Although one in three find the Christmas spirit encourages them to get kissing, over a third (38%) of us have had an awkward kissing situation. Most commonly this is with another work colleague, but also with vicars and hairdressers. With no 'British way' to kiss, bewilderment under the mistletoe is common.

* Over half of the UK (52%) greets friends with a kiss on the cheek, yet almost a quarter are getting more continental and kiss their friends on both cheeks.
* Over 9,000 people in Birmingham admit to kissing colleagues and clients on the lips!
* Almost half of people kiss their family on the cheek once as a greeting, with an incredible 15% of Brits admitting they go as far as kissing family on the lips.
* 150,000 Brits admit that they kiss someone they've met for the first time on the lips, with 4,000 people in Leeds owning up to it!

Confusion reigns supreme in the minefield of kissing situations. While generally the UK is a nation of a simple peck on the cheek with 52% of people saying that this is their preferred greeting, we don't know where to start when it comes to kissing etiquette. As such over half (52%) of the country feel they would benefit from a clear set of rules about how to do it right.

With so much enthusiasm, Galaxy Mistletoe KissesR and Liz Brewer, the UK's leading etiquette expert of 'Ladette to Lady' fame, has created a simple Mistletoe Kissing etiquette guide to help get Britain kissing this Christmas.

A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO MISTLETOE KISSING

Brits don't have the first idea about how to kiss, and our fun and cheeky kissing etiquette guide will dispel with the bad and give you advice on how to do it properly. Here are some quick and easy guidelines to give someone the perfect mistletoe kiss:

Getting Started

* If you're expecting a lot of guests at your Christmas bash, hang your bunch of mistletoe in a very obvious place, ideally low enough so that no one can avoid noticing it and preferably in the centre of the room.
* Make certain everyone kisses under the mistletoe, especially before they leave. Smiling is a must!
* Although I think kissing three times is excessive, some people like it, but you should always start the kiss with the right cheek. This gives uniformity to the procedure - so people don't get flustered and bump noses!

Who Should You Kiss?

* Don't think that you have to waltz over to the person who has captured your interest, it's quite in order to stand with eyes closed whilst waiting, and if they still don't get the hint, it is also in order to give them a verbal prompt!
* Remember that mistletoe kissing is a license to kiss and a way to spread some festive feeling.
* Special nights like New Year's Eve or Christmas Eve mean anyone can kiss anyone under the mistletoe.that means friends, family, colleagues and even strangers.

Social Faux Pas

* Do make certain you have clean teeth & fresh breath, and at the very least have a toothpick or mints at hand.
* SMOKING IS A TOTAL NO NO - unless you like kissing a stale ashtray!
* Guys and girls take note; consider each other. Girls, don't wear heavy make-up or thick lipstick, and guys, a few quick stokes with the razor will lesson a stubbly chin
* If you do have a beard or moustache. do check for any little food left-overs!

The Romantic Mistletoe Kiss

* The First Kiss is very significant. Take care not to overdo it. It should be gentle yet tantalizing. Pace yourself!
* Most of all, a romantic mistletoe kiss should have chemistry; sparks either fly or fade
* Most people kiss the way they want to be kissed. so follow your leader: hard or soft; slow or fast; exploratory...
* If there is no mistletoe around you, then do your kissing as discretely as possible as there is nothing worse than watching a tongue situation getting out of control in a public place!

If you are still too shy for a real kiss why not give someone a Galaxy Mistletoe KissR this Christmas.

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