A look at the history of the New Year's Eve kiss. New Year's Eve is the last hurrah of the year, the culminating event in
a holiday binge of eating, drinking and celebrating. It's a time to don
glitzy outfits, reflect on the past, and ponder future resolutions. And
then there's the kiss at the stroke of midnight. Whether you ring in the new year watching the Times Square ball drop
from your living room TV, or toasting champagne at an upscale nightclub,
tradition makes a case for celebrating the new year with people you
enjoy. According to English and German folklore,
the first person you encounter in a new year (and the nature of this
encounter) sets the tone for the rest of the year. A kiss is about
strengthening ties you wish to maintain in the future. If a couple
celebrating together doesn't take the time to lock lips, it doesn't bode
well for the relationship.
For single people, there's a superstition that not kissing anyone brings a year
of loneliness…and probably a lot of bad online dating (ok, I made that
last part up). Then again, kissing some sleazy random who may or may
not have a significant other is worse than kissing no one at all. Passionate New Year's Eve kisses have featured prominently in popular culture. The New Year's Eve kiss at the end of the movie When Harry Met Sally, is the beginning of happily-ever-after for the two estranged friends, and it's just as memorable as the fake orgasm scene at the deli. Harry finally admits he's in love with Sally. "It's not because I'm lonely, and it's not because it's New Year's Eve.
I came here tonight because when you realize you want to spend the rest
of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as
soon as possible," he says. Sally's shocked response: "That is just like
you, Harry. You say things like that, and you make it impossible for me
to hate you." Too bad we can't all have what she's having.
I missed the midnight kiss on New Year's Eve, and I felt cheated out of my "When Harry Met Sally" moment. I equate it to fireworks on the fourth of July, the perfect birthday present, and mistletoe over my head at Christmas. I don't know what I was feeling, but this year was different. Maybe the thought of someone wanting to kiss me would've made me feel a little better, but I didn't even get a hint to that even being close to the case. So I was a little blah, but like any other holiday,
New Year's Eve can put a great deal of stress on those of us without
plus-ones.
Mary, 40 from New York, ditched the New Year
plans she made with friends because she didn't want to be the one
single person in the group. Mary stayed at home where a kiss
wasn't a possibility or a threat, and she said she ended up regretting the
decision.
Jason, 34 from Chicago, kept the reveling low-key when he found
himself single in December. "I'm not going to go out with some
vague hope of meeting someone to end the night with a kiss or more," he
said. "It never happens. It just leads to drunken disappointment and a
hangover, which is a terrible way to start a new year."
But even having a significant other doesn't guarantee a romantic smooch at midnight, though many couples
aren't even bothered by it. Jennifer, 44 from Oklahoma City, says she and her husband replaced a romantic night out on the town with a
family-friendly community event, to be with their three children instead. "Who has time for New Year's Eve kisses or money for a babysitter?" she
said. "My husband says the New Year's Eve kiss is so passé because we're
too tired to stay up that late." Jennifer shared a New Year's
kiss with all four loves of her life, even when it didn't happen when the
clock strikes twelve.
This relaxed, flexible approach seems to be the key to enjoying New
Year's Eve, whatever your relationship status. Celebrate with loved ones
in an environment that makes you feel safe and comfortable. The
midnight kiss isn't so different from a New Year's resolution, and despite
your best intentions, you probably won't pull it off perfectly, if at
all...
facebook.com/RelationshipLessons
twitter.com/RShipLessons
No comments:
Post a Comment