Dear Gwendolyn:
I have been married for two years to a wonderful man. However, like they say “no marriage is perfect.” Last month my sister-in-law had a gathering at her house for family and friends. They live about three hours from us via ground transportation. I know they were delighted to see each other, but this is the problem:
Instead of giving each other a big hug or a kiss on the cheek, they kiss in the mouth. Unusual don’t you think? However, their mouth is not opened, but still I feel strange every time I see it. Do you think I have cause to worry? Janet
Dear Janet:
No, I do not, but it needs to stop. Their way of showing brother/sister love apparently started when they were only kids. The parents should have noticed it and explained to them that the normal and most accepted way of showing affection to family members and friends is not to kiss lip-to-lip, but cheek-to-cheek. If you want to see some outrageous patterns of kissing, notice how church people and the distasteful and health hazard practice of some adults who kiss babies directly in the mouth.
I do feel you should bring this issue to his attention. But if you would sometimes notice, parents often allow their children’s pet (especially a dog) to lick the child directly onto the mouth. You are having peculiar feelings about this because you were not brought up to show affection in this way. I want you to read: Sisters and Brothers All These Years by Lillian S. Hawthorne (2003).
Janet, continue to watch this, and if ever you see them kissing with an open mouth, then of course, — be alarmed.