While some people prefer to keep their distance from others, others enjoy physical contact. This Saturday, July 6, is International Kissing Day, a practice engaged in daily by most people around the world, but one that can also transmit bacteria.
Although kissing is widespread, it does come with drawbacks. Physical contact between two people, particularly during a kiss, leads to a significant exchange of bacteria. Consequently, some countries prefer to limit physical contact.
In France, many bacteria are transmitted through close proximity between people.
The concept of personal space and proximity in France, particularly in Europe, differs from that in other parts of the world. While a distance of approximately 0.8 meters is common in France, other cultures encourage their inhabitants to maintain greater distance. For example, the French customarily greet each other with kisses, unlike their Asian counterparts who avoid skin-to-skin contact, especially on the face. Asians prefer to greet each other from a distance or with a discreet hug.
However, within families, this distance can be reduced to 40 centimeters, and between couples, to 20 centimeters. This notion of personal space can evolve based on relationships, keeping individuals outside the circle of close friends, spouses, or family further away. While some might find this proximity pleasant, it leads to a
very high exchange of bacteria, even if contact is not made with the hands.
During a kiss, many bacteria are transmitted.
Every part of the human body contains bacteria that can be transmitted through touch, but also through saliva. In fact, hands and mouths contain hundreds of different types of bacteria and microbes – 700 in the mouth alone. When two people shake hands, thousands of bacteria are exchanged. The same applies to other forms of contact, such as a high five or fist bump.
A Dutch study revealed that exchanging saliva during a ten-second kiss with tongues can result in the transfer of over 80 million bacteria. Moreover, individuals who kiss more than nine times a day tend to share the same bacteria and germs, which explains why couples often get sick simultaneously.
Photo credit: Shutterstock Physical contact between two people leads to an impressive exchange of bacteria.
Keeping a distance from others to avoid transmitting bacteria or viruses has become commonplace since the Covid-19 epidemic.
Since the
Covid-19 epidemic, social distances have increased. Health authorities initially recommended maintaining a
distance of at least one meter, along with abstaining from greetings involving cheek kisses, handshakes, or other tactile gestures. The aim was to minimize the transmission of bacteria and viruses during these interactions.
David Le Breton, a sociologist at the University of Strasbourg, accurately drew a comparison between the cessation of physical greetings and the wearing of masks during the epidemic: “It has little effect on our relationships with people, unlike the mask. Wearing it makes us less identifiable and hides our emotions. Usually, we adapt our words to resonate with our interlocutor, which is expressed on their face. Not knowing what the other person feels puts us in an uncomfortable situation.”.
The Science Behind Kissing: How Many Bacteria Do We Exchange?
This Saturday, July 6, is International Kissing Day, a celebration of the act of intimacy and affection that has been a part of human culture for centuries. While kissing is often seen as a symbol of love and connection, it’s also a surprisingly efficient way to swap bacteria. While some people prefer to keep their distance, others crave physical contact, and in this article, we will explore the science behind kissing and the impact of bacterial exchange.
The French Kiss: A Cultural Exchange of Microbes
In France, and particularly in Europe, the concept of personal space and proximity differs significantly from other parts of the world. While a distance of 0.8 meters between individuals is considered appropriate in Europe, other cultures encourage maintaining greater distance. The French, known for their social custom of kissing on both cheeks as a greeting, stand in contrast to Asian cultures where physical contact, especially on the face, is avoided. Asians often prefer greeting each other from a distance or with a gentle hug.
Within families, this distance can shrink to 40 centimeters, while couples might stand as close as 20 centimeters. It’s fascinating how personal space norms evolve based on relationships, with those outside the circle of close friends, spouses, and family being kept at a greater distance. While some might relish this closeness, it’s important to understand that it significantly increases the exchange of bacteria, even if contact goes beyond handshakes.
A Kiss, a Million Bacteria: Unlocking the Secret of Saliva Exchange
Every part of the human body harbors bacteria, and touch, including saliva, facilitates their transmission. Our hands and mouths house hundreds of different bacterial types and microbes, with the mouth boasting an impressive 700. Even a simple handshake can result in the transfer of thousands of bacteria. The same applies to various forms of physical greetings, like fist bumps and high fives.
A Dutch study revealed that a ten-second French kiss with tongue contact leads to the exchange of over 80 million bacteria! Moreover, couples who engage in such passionate kissing more than nine times a day share a remarkably similar bacterial profile, proving that regular close contact can lead to a shared microbiome. This also explains why we often fall sick when our partners are ill.
Photo credit: Shutterstock Physical contact between two people leads to an impressive exchange of bacteria.
A World of Distance: Covid-19 and the Shift in Social Interaction
Following the
Covid-19 pandemic, maintaining social distance became a crucial step toward reducing the spread of the virus. Health authorities initially recommended at least one meter of separation, discouraging cheek kisses, handshakes, and other tactile greetings. The focus was on minimizing the transmission of bacteria and viruses through these common social interactions.
David Le Breton, a sociologist at the University of Strasbourg, perceptively compares the shift away from physical greetings to mask-wearing during the pandemic. “The mask has a much larger impact on our relationships than abstaining from physical greetings. Wearing a mask makes us less identifiable and hides our emotions. Typically, we adapt our words based on the response of our interlocutor, which is reflected in their facial expressions. Not knowing how the other person feels creates an uncomfortable situation.”
