A quarter of Brits still in touch with their first kiss, but does their partner know about it?

NATIONAL NEWS RELEASE

Almost a quarter of British adults are still in touch with the person they shared their FIRST kiss with, but there is a very good chance their partner does not know about it - according to new research.

Researchers surveyed people in relationships and discovered 23 percent are still in contact with their first flame, with 24 percent keeping in touch openly via social media.

However, a more secretive 20 percent admitted their other half knows absolutely nothing about communications with an old flame – with one in ten preferring to talk privately to former lovers via email, text or Whatsapp.

Even more worryingly for those in relationships, is that almost half of those polled (45 percent) admitted their current partner is NOT the best kisser they have ever locked lips with.

The poll of 2,000 adults by lip care gel brand, lipivir, found that the average Brit has in fact, kissed seven people in the past that their partner knows absolutely nothing about.

A further 23 percent say they have friends in their current social circle who they have got up close and personal with in the past – but their current partner is unaware anything happened between them.

Of the married respondents, there were TWO people at their wedding who they have kissed (once or more in their past) - with the average Brit kissing 26 people in their lifetime.

Psychologist Donna Dawson commented on the findings; “Our first meaningful kiss sets the template for all kisses to come, especially if we are highly attracted to that person. Chemicals in the saliva of both kissers help the couple to bond even closer.

“The experience will be further deepened by our own anticipation of it, and all future romantic kisses will be compared to it. This initial ‘bonding’ is never forgotten, and neither is the person kissed. You may be in another relationship further down the line, but those lingering chemical bonds may tempt you to get back in touch.”

The study showed 53 percent of Brits have kissed someone in their past they shouldn’t have, with a work colleague emerging as the person we’re most likely to have an illicit snog with (47 percent), followed by 19 percent of people who have kissed their partner’s best friend, while a further 10 percent have kissed their boss.

A shameless 2 percent even admitted to kissing their mother or father in law while a further 45 percent of people polled often think back fondly to their most perfect kiss.

According to the study, the most important ingredients for the perfect kiss are soft lips (42 percent), not too much tongue (33 percent), confidence (29 percent) and that the person smells good (27 percent).

Martin Austin, director at lipivir, which commissioned the study, said: "Kissing is something that just about everyone does, so it’s natural that people want healthy a healthy pout for the perfect kiss.

“lipivir helps to keep lips kissable, as it’s the only preventative solution for cold sores available. Lips should be looked after as part of people’s daily beauty routine, and as lipivir is a transparent gel that can be applied straight before makeup, it’s completely discreet when you pucker up.”

19 percent of Brits say they are still Facebook friends with their worst ever kiss, while five percent say they are still with them.

66 percent of those polled said that the kiss put them off being friends for life and no longer have anything to do with them.

42 percent of people say they remember their worst ever kiss like it was yesterday, with 52 percent of people saying it was horrendous because their partner was slobbery, while 33 percent said they used too much tongue, and 21 percent said their date had bad breath.

26 percent said fresh breath was essential, 20 percent said having their faced touched was a massive turn on, while 19 percent said it was important that their partner closed their eyes, and 17 percent said soft skin was a must.

A cold sore emerged as the number one thing to Brits off kissing someone (75 percent), followed by a runny nose (71 percent), chapped lips 50 percent and crooked teeth 36 percent.

ENDS

Contact Harriet at Ginger Research for more details about this study (07468 429005)