by Mandi Kane
Daily Lobo
Love was in the air Tuesday night as students crammed into the SUB Theater in hopes of improving their games of tonsil hockey through "The Art of Kissing."
Michael Christian, author of The Art of Kissing and four other kissing books, was the host for a seminar on his favorite subject as five couples took the stage to demonstrate proper techniques.
Christian, whose real name is William Canes, started the presentation by asking the audience for opinions on what makes a good kiss. The consensus of the women was that they like it when their partner nibbles on their lips or makes sound effects. The men in the audience were partial to nibbling on ears during a make-out session. Both men and women decided that sloppy and wet kisses were turn-offs.
"Swallow your own saliva, it is only polite," Christian said.
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Christian then went on to humorously describe over 30 different ways to kiss including the "butterfly kiss," an "Eskimo kiss," and the "candy kiss," a kiss where partners exchange candy using only their mouths. Christian also described what he called "lip-o-suction," a style that involves people gently sucking on their partner's lower or upper lip while they do the opposite.
Christian also offered pointers for those relationships that may need something new to try.
"Tell your boyfriend to freeze, then kiss him all over," he said assuring the audience it will "work every time."
Christian then gave the audience advice on those pesky hickeys and said frozen spoons and pencil erasers are not remedies for making "love bites" disappear.
"They are bruises and they have to heal," he said.
While Christian said the only way to cover a hickey is with a Band-Aid, he doesn't encourage it.
"Why hide them? They are like your badge of courage."
Finally, two students stuck their heads into red pillowcases creating giant tongues to help Christian simulate "soul kissing," or French kissing, which he said when done right is bliss, but when done wrong is "potentially life threatening."
Billy Kleinsteuber, one of the demonstrators said he learned a lot by participating in the program.
"Girls like being kissed on the neck more than I thought," he said.
Kleinsteuber's girlfriend, Dana Wood, participated as well.
Wood, who was excited about learning the different forms of kissing, said she was glad to be spending time with her boyfriend.
"I thought it would be a fun thing for us to do together," she said.
This is the second time that Student Special Events has sponsored "The Art of Kissing."
"We always have a Valentine's Day speaker," said Kevin Stevenson, executive director of Student Special Events.
Stevenson said that the event was a big hit with UNM students before, and although the visit was belated, it was the soonest Christian was available.
