麻豆社

The kiss is the most deceptive gesture.

Seemingly simple, it is in fact a highly complex action and - depending on the depth of passion used - can ignite a plethora of emotional, sensual and physical reactions including lowering blood pleasure, extending life expectancy and helping to choose a mate.

But the kiss we know and practice today, didn't always have emotional and erotic overtones. In Roman times a kiss was used as a symbol of power. The Greeks believed that breath was the life of man, and kissing an adored object represented a sort of sacrifice. And when European explorers introduced the practice of kissing in South Africa, the Tsonga people were horrified. So you see, the idea of kissing someone on the lips hasn't always thrilled people.

Today, just about every culture on the planet kisses - but some cultures are still reluctant. In Arab countries, public displays of affection can land you in prison - and if you kiss someone in Japan, you can find yourself engaged to be married!

Rowan Pelling - former Editor of the Erotic Review Rowan - tries to discover how and why our views of kissing have changed and whether it has lost some of its magic with over-use, and takes a lesson in how to do it for stage and screen when you've never met the person you're kissing before.

Producer: Angela Hind

A Pier production for 麻豆社 Radio 4, first broadcast in April 2012.