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IN FOCUS: ARTICLE |
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Never Been Kissed
Marissa Gold, 03.29.05
"Once you start, your instincts will kick in and your body will know what to do, even if your brain doesn't." |
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Worried about being the only teenager who's never puckered up? Never fear — there are thousands of teens just like you who haven't had their first kiss, yet. There is no "right" age to have your first kiss, and many teens don't have that milestone until much later than you may think.
While you're waiting for yours, it's easy to stress about the details. When will I meet someone? How do I make the move? Will I know what I'm doing? You're not the only one worried about this stuff — pressure for the first time to be movie-perfect can make something as simple as a kiss seem like a very scary thing.
You've probably heard about all different kinds of kissing and may feel like there's a particular "technique" you have to learn to be good at it. But kissing isn't about perfecting any particular method — it's about relaxing and enjoying the connection to someone you care about. Kissing is one of the oldest and most widespread forms of affection. (Although in some cultures, it is strictly taboo.) The mouth is chock-full of nerve endings, which is why we feel such a great, electric feeling when we lock lips with someone special.
And speaking of nerves, let's be honest — most teens have no clue what they're doing the first time, so an awkward kiss is pretty much par for the course. And that's OK! There's a good chance your partner will be worrying about the same things you are. You can talk it over first, or just take a deep breath and go for it. Kissing is something that will eventually come naturally to you, even if that first one is more of a flub than a fairytale.
The First Time
We asked a few teens what they remember about their first kisses. Here's what they had to say:
"It was nice at the time but ... very slobbery. Since it was my first kiss I thought it was supposed to be like that."
— Kelly, 19
"I was 14. It was pretty good ... Do what comes naturally. And try to keep the spit to a minimum."
— Chris, 17
"My first kiss was during a cheesy game of truth and dare."
— Krista, 18
"Once you start, your instincts will kick in and your body will know what to do, even if your brain doesn't."
— Mark, 15
"[It was] 10th grade. The brim of my hat hit her in the forehead, which was funny, but then she turned my hat around so it was on backwards, and it seemed pretty obvious at that point, so it was smooth sailing from there on in."
— Mike, 22
"I was 18. It wasn't what I expected it to be; it was nice, but weird. I guess having someone else's tongue in your mouth for the first time is a little weird."
— Rich, 21
"I leaned forward. He started stroking my chin, and then just went for it. I'd never made out before, but he gave me pointers, so it was okay ... Now I'm a lot better and won't be afraid when it's time to kiss a guy I really like."
— Bethany, 16
Don't worry about your first kiss being perfect! Some first kisses are exciting and special, and some are just funny and embarrassing. You could be a kid, a teenager, or an adult when it first happens. Your kiss could be with the love of your life, a good friend, or with someone who just happened to spin a bottle in your direction. First kisses are different for everyone.
What's the one thing that stays the same? You'll probably always remember yours. |
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