Stock Kisses

Kisses hard, kisses deep, a kiss to wake up from our sleep...

—Deborah Harry, "French Kissing In The USA"

Sorrow, joy, and passion--
All this a kiss may bring.
But out of ev'ry hundred kisses,
Ninety-nine don't mean a thing.

—Rose-Marie, "Only A Kiss"

Factors such as the placement of the hands in a television or movie kiss is a form of visual short-hand for the intended manner of the kiss. This helps audiences to understand the intended emotions within moments.

Typical arrangements include:

• One hand on partner's face; signifies tenderness, intimacy, fairly typical with a First Kiss.
• Two hands on the partner's face; often at times of emotional intensity, and/or in such situations as a "Shut Up" Kiss. Referenced in Friends, in the season seven episode "The One With Joey's New Brain".
  • An alternative to this is to have the kisser grab the kissee's shirt to keep them from moving.
• Hands on the partner's waist/back; signifies love, intimacy and/or romantic intensity without blatant sexual undertones. Can be combined with a 'dip' to add intensity, a 'swept-away' quality, or occasionally, a bit of silliness. See Ross and Rachel's first kiss in season two of Friends, or Hawkeye and Margaret's goodbye kiss in the finale of M*A*S*H. May involve Foot Popping.
• The immediate buttgrab. Typically symbolises passion and/or lust without romantic engagement. Note the position of Tycho's hand in this Penny Arcade strip.
• The air grab. This kissee does not wish to be kissed, or was really taken by surprise. See the 'Smooch' command from The Sims 2.
• Multiple kisses all over the exposed flesh of the partner's body. Sex is imminent or has just occurred.